Understanding the value of sustainable practices to protect the world we live in is a lesson worth learning, according to a group of Technological Institute of the Philippines (T.I.P.) students, who visited Japan for an educational tour under the Sakura Science Program (SSP).
T.I.P. College of Business Education standouts Von Eryl Morano, Maria Bernadette White, Erick Jose Velasco, Harvey Pajarillaga, and Jamil Martinez took part in a sustainable entrepreneurship crash course at the J.F. Oberlin University in Machida, Tokyo from February 26 to March 4, 2023.
The Japan Science and Technology (JST) agency funded the entire trip. JST has been implementing the SSP since 2014 to “support the development of talented human resources from overseas who have the potential to contribute to innovation in science and technology.”
The group represented the Philippines for the SSP during that period, which allowed them to meet and exchange ideas with other undergraduate and postgraduate students of not only Japan, but also Malaysia and India.
“They underwent business-related training in line with the sustainable development goals, environmental governance, management, the fundamentals of startups and venture capitalism,” said T.I.P. linkages and international relations officer Mandy Taller Bravo, who led the group.
The Japan Science and Technology (JST) agency funded the entire trip. JST has been implementing the SSP since 2014 to “support the development of talented human resources from overseas who have the potential to contribute to innovation in science and technology.”
The participating T.I.P. students all had positive words to say about traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun, primarily because it helped broaden their perspectives about the world, despite experiencing some language barriers with other nationalities and striking cultural differences.
“We have different cultures, educational backgrounds and environments, but we all aspire for a future where technology can be used to solve serious societal issues,” noted Velasco, a senior BSBA Logistics and Supply Management student from T.I.P. Quezon City.
Pajarillaga, a T.I.P. Manila BSBA Marketing Management junior, said he was able to develop a “global mindset” when he lived in Tokyo even for just a week. He is hoping to apply some of the insights and ideas he gained from the trip into his personal and professional life.
Although the Philippines remains as a developing country, White pointed out that we can learn so much from Japan in terms of how it was able to integrate modern technology into the daily lives of its citizens without losing touch of their cultural and ethical traditions.
“In the Philippines, it’s doable, but it’s going to be a lengthy process to get to that point because there are still a lot of Filipinos who are not technologically literate,” said White, a fourth-year BSBA Human Resources Management major from T.I.P. Quezon City.
Martinez, a BS Accountancy junior of T.I.P. Manila, is grateful to have his first overseas trip to Japan. He admired the kindness, discipline, and humility of its people even as he and upperclassman Morano struggled to adjust to some of their cuisine because of food allergies.
The students enjoyed being part of the SSP and would love to revisit Japan sometime in the future either to pursue further studies or explore other towns and cities. Morano felt proud to go there as a Filipino, knowing that he can adapt to its environment and it suits his personality.
The group received certificates of membership to the Sakura Science Club by virtue of their recent participation in the SSP. Bravo said T.I.P. continues to entertain invitations from universities in other countries to engage in similar international exchange student programs.
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