“One of the opportunities presented as an AIS Scholar, specifically as a student exchange taking up Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in ITB is to be able to turn our research ideas into something tangible through commercialization and technology transfer. The list of courses I enrolled in are in line with my field of specialization as a Food Science graduate student of the University of the Philippines – Visayas. These courses include Product Development Management, Management Thought and Research, Decision Making and Negotiation, and Supply Chain Design. In the Product Development Management, the criteria to verify, and validate whether the theorized prototype that we have can be actualized was taught, as well as how to evaluate current research projects that included its testing, product architecture, intellectual property, design for environment and manufacturing, and managing projects were exercised through our project on developing an electric and self-sterilizing mask from the start up to the finals. Another is the Supply Chain Design, where we were able to understand the importance of managing inventory levels, and what factors should we consider in stocking and producing products in relation to the overall capacity, and market demand. With this, I’ve realized the importance of planning the quantity of the products, and managing the production operations so as to reduce overhead cost, but still ensure high customer service levels. The last two subjects are administrative, and management of personnel in nature, wherein the Decision Making and Negotiation course demonstrated ways to negotiate, types of approaches, traps during the negotiation that we should avoid, “Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement” BATNAs, “Zone of Possible Agreement” ZOPA, and how to improve the way we can deal with people that we encounter in our daily lives, especially during negotiations with suppliers, and customers. Lastly, Management Thought and Research, presented theories on how to deal with different type of people as a leader and manager, which is essential in the day-to-day operations.
In addition to the courses, we were also offered a mentorship program that lasted for two months, where we had a mentor-mentee discussion about our proposed business and how to run a successful start-up from contacting people to go on board with our idea based on the needed expertise from the supply officer, operations officer, marketing officer, accounting staff,
human and resource personnel, etc. Throughout the program, we were given insights on the do’s and don’ts when trying to start up a company; from the allocation of resources, prioritization, scouting the market, and up to what commodities should we keep in mind to keep up with the need and demand. This aided us in envisioning the start up plan that we had in mind, and encouraged us to start our own business venture.
Moreover, the opportunity to study at ITB, has helped me in the proposal of my food waste utilization research, that has been recently funded by our Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) last November 2021; the added knowledge, and as I start my research project this 2022, my learning from ITB will greatly aid me in managing the project, and transferring the technology to the farmers, small and medium scale industries, private enterprises, and other government institutions during, and for its commercialization. Thus, I am greatly thankful for UNDP for granting me the scholarship since I will be now serving the Philippines better with my capabilities as a researcher and an AIS Scholar”
