28 students named to AmCham program

MANILA, Philippines - For seven summers, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) has brought together undergraduates nominated by various colleges and universities across the country for a week-long immersion into how business operates in the ‘real world’. Dubbed “The Best Meets the Best”, the annual AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP) gives future business leaders valuable business insights gained through CEO-hosted visits to AmCham member companies and partners, discussions with leaders from the corporate world and the academe, and participation in creating effective solutions to challenges faced by a top Filipino corporation in a culminating business case. The experience leaves them with a better understanding and appreciation of business workings across industries that can be applied to both their learning and career choices.

Twenty-eight college achievers pursuing degrees in accounting, management and economics make up AmCham BOP’s Batch 7 which begins this month. They represent 16 schools from across the country: the University of the Philippines system (Diliman, Cebu and Davao), St. Louis University (Baguio), the University of Asia and the Pacific, the Mindanao State University, the University of Baguio, Holy Angels University (Pampanga), Siliman University (Dumaguete), Ateneo de Zamboanga, Centro Escolar University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, University of Cebu, and the University of the East.

Nomination was based on excellent performance in both academic and co-curricular endeavors and nominees went through a stringent BOP screening process before acceptance into the program.

“Despite the effects of the economic recession on our member companies, support for this project continues. This sends a very strong message of belief and a vote of confidence in the Filipino youth and future leaders of this country,” said AmCham executive director Robert Sears at a cocktail held April 18 to welcome the current crop of participants.

“Each year we try to outdo the experience of the BOP batch of the year before to give our participants the best possible exeperience. We also try to widen our reach each year and in 2009, we are proud to say we have student leaders from as far away as Marawi,” said AmCham BOP 2009 chairman and Goodyear Philippines president Dave J. Morin.

Respected professionals from various industries and fields have committed time and resources to the success of the 2009 program. The culminating business case will be handled by industry leaders John Clements Consultants president Carol Dominguez, Jollibee Foods Corp. vice president for marketing Gold Tantoco, and Goodyear Philippines director and Asian Institute of Management Prof. Ning Lagman. A session on entrepreneurship will be given by Avis president and Goodyear board member Andy Ferreria.