Education, practical learning emphasized at FERN-sponsored SEP meet

Classroom education combined with practical training formed the core message of the Student Entrepreneur Program’s Special Program Presentation for school administrators that was recently held at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. 

The event was sponsored by the Filipino Entrepreneurs and Resource Network (FERN) Inc, the makers of Vitamin C brand FERN-C. It was hosted by film and stage thespian Jaime Fabregas and SEP Project Director Josephine Roxas.

With the theme, “Youth empowerment through the merger of academic excellence and entrepreneurial expertise,” the event was attended by 246 school owners and administrators from 120 schools, colleges and universities in the National Capital Region. Officials from the Department of Education-NCR and officers of various educational organizations also came to support SEP’s advocacy. Eighty-five schools joined the program on the spot. 

“By tapping the entrepreneur in every Filipino, I hope to achieve my vision of bringing prosperity to every home,” said Tommanny Tan, president of FERN Inc.

Former Senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino, who was among the guests of honor, likewise highlighted the country’s need for entrepreneurs.

SEP is a project of ThinkCap, Inc., a private organization that aims to foster healthy competition among students, while providing formal classroom and on-the-job entrepreneurship trainings that would solidify their learning experience. As an incentive, it also allows students to earn while they learn.

SEP helps students gain unlimited access to economic opportunities to help build a secure and stable future. Through healthy competition, it equips the youth with pro-active leadership skills and entrepreneurial expertise, helping them transcend their own limitations as they take on the task of nation-building.

Salvador Fabregas, SEP project chairman, called entrepreneurs “job makers, rather than job seekers.” He stressed that entrepreneurs create jobs.

“Jobs don’t make entrepreneurs therefore our emphasis should be to create more entrepreneurs,” he said. 

This idea inspired Fabregas to conceptualize a program in partnership with schools. He believed that the development of an entrepreneurial mindset can begin while the person is still in school. This program gives the student a platform upon which to apply the theories they learn in school. Together, the theory and the application make for a more complete learning experience. For students, this can be their initiation to the real world while still under the guidance of academic advisers and more experienced entrepreneurs.

One of the event’s guests of honor, TV and movie personality Connie Reyes, strongly endorsed the program.

Last Nov. 21, SEP held its grand launch at One Esplanade and was attended by participating students and coaches.

Those interested to join SEP may attend the orientation held every Saturday at Unit 906 of AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.