For over 35 years, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been working together to promote human resource development and nation building in the Asia Pacific region through the Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP). Since 1989, over 550 students from AIM’s Master in Development Management (MDM) program and International Master in Business Administration (iMBA) program were successfully chosen for the ADB-JSP. This opportunity helped these students become successful business leaders and development managers who can scale social impact.
To honor this fruitful partnership, the Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management (SZSDM) held its annual ADB-JSP Townhall last June 15, 2023, at the Aboitiz Tech Space and streamed live online via Zoom and Facebook.
Present at the event was the Principal Financing Partnership Specialist of the Japan Funds of the ADB Mr. Hiroki Kasahara, and his team, Mr. Sho Tabata, Ms. Rhina Tolentino, and Ms. Cristina Fernandez. From AIM’s side, SZSDM School Head, Professor Olivier Roche, PhD, and Mr. Motoo Konishi, Distinguished Fellow in Development Management, and ADB-JSP Scholars and alumni of the MDM program Ms. Armi Baticados, Ms. Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, and Ms. Ashrina Ranjit.
During the event proper, the distinguished guests from AIM and ADB discussed the importance of continuous learning, development of human resource capital and the AIM ADB-JSP partnership. With AIM being one of the partner institutions of the ADB-JSP, Mr. Konishi said “we at AIM produce the new brand of leaders that will help define the new normal and the new global order. I believe that we have a fantastic synergy between ADB and AIM where we can help guide and define the future success of Asia and the Pacific.” The relationship between AIM and the ADB-JSP is “not just ‘first love’…I think that it is a “love” that matured over time, and in the same direction. And this direction is based on the same values, beliefs, and goals” said Professor Roche. Mr. Kasahara and Tabata further expounded that the ADB-JSP program gives one the opportunity to learn critical thinking, problem solving, and digital literacy to contribute to their country’s economic and socio-economic growth.
During the second part of the event, Ms. Baticados, Ms. Sanchez-Ogang, and Ms. Ranjit took the stage to give the audience and interested MDM applicants a rundown of their experience throughout the MDM program and applying for the ADB-JSP.
During their time in the MDM program, the scholars were up front to say that the 12-month full time program was no walk in the park. However, the lessons gained helped the three women excel in their professional and personal lives. As Ms. Sanchez-Ogang shared “AIM-MDM really did not just increase my competency, but also gave me so much clarity… it pulled me back to my core, it realigned me to my real passion and values, and it helped me redesign the career path that I want for my life.” Furthermore, the students were exposed to different realities of the world due to their diverse cohort. Ms. Ranjit shared that the discussions in the classroom made her reevaluate her thought process and shift her mindset.
To close the program, the scholars gave thanks to the ADB – JSP team for providing them the opportunity to pursue their education and become leaders in their respective industries. “I am very grateful to the ADB-JSP, to the government and people of Japan for this opportunity to study at AIM and understand the systems and causal loops of the development world and I would just like to share that development actions should always be passion driven and evidence based… we should always measure our impact by the lives that we serve and who we add value to them.” said Ms. Baticados
To stay up to date with the Master in Development Management program and the Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program you may visit the following websites:
https://devatwork.aim.edu/master-in-development-management/adb-japan-scholarship-program/
https://www.adb.org/what-we-do/funds/japan-scholarship-program-jsp
