MAKATI, Philippines – On 21 February 2024, the Asian Institute of Management’s (AIM) Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management (SZSDM) awarded the top achieving students and recipients of the Vinod Thomas Scholarship and the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) during the Academic Quarter 3 Recognition Ceremony.
SZSDM School Head, Prof. Olivier P. Roche, PhD, mentioned in his welcoming remarks that he always has a soft spot for the dean’s list because of their commitment not only to do the minimum work but also to go the extra mile, both in terms of business acumen and academic performance.
Proudly standing out among the lauded achievers were the students of the Executive Master in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management (EMDRCM) Class of 2024, including Kristina Datu-Ramos, Jerome Mario Orfano, Daisy Tagarda, Wilvin Custodio, Jasper Alberto Lascano, and Jose Luis Santillan, who were on the Dean’s List.
Simultaneously, the Master in Development Management (MDM) Class of 2023 celebrated its exceptional students on the Dean’s List, such as Roselle Marie Azucena, Maria Cecille Latuño, Christian Narito, and Jessa Mylce Mella-Competente.
Adding further prestige to the event, the ceremony recognized the deserving scholars of the ADB-JSP from different countries, including Wilma Duguran (Philippines), David Daniel Pagulayan (Philippines), Nigina Muminova (Tajikistan), Cindy Kristina Quintos (Philippines), Jose Gabriel Yap (Philippines), Nolan Gara (Philippines), Rinku Thakur (Nepal), Sudeshna Biswas (Bangladesh), Alexa Jane Blas (Philippines), and Paula Andrea Vesliño (Philippines), all from the MDM 2024 cohort.
Additionally, two outstanding students, Ian Cullalad from EMDRCM 2025 and Christine Jodloman from EMDRCM 2024, were awarded the Vinod Thomas Scholarship.
Mr. Hiroki Kasahara, ADB Principal Partner Funding Specialist, in his inspirational speech, extended his congratulations to the scholarship recipients. He underscored that this recognition marked not just an endpoint, but the beginning of a meaningful relationship between the Asian Development Bank and their respective countries.
Meanwhile, Prof. Vinod Thomas, PhD, Distinguished Fellow in Development Management, reminded everyone about collective responsibility. He emphasized that each individual present had a crucial role to play, not only in tackling the root causes of the existential situation faced but also in mitigating the impacts on development, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.
As the event concluded, everyone celebrated academic excellence and reaffirmed the shared commitment to fostering positive change and sustainable development in the region and beyond.
About AIM:
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) is an Asian pioneer in management education. The Institute was founded in 1968 by a consortium of prominent business leaders, Philippine academic institutions, and the Harvard Business School Advisory Group. AIM is the first school in Southeast Asia to receive accreditation from the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), globally recognized as having the world’s highest standards. Throughout its history, the Institute has sought to empower students to thrive in challenging, rapidly shifting environments. It achieves this by encouraging a more considerate, effective, and sustainable approach to business and society.
