AIM Policy Center Launches Global Accountability Report 2008

On February 12, 2009, the AIM Policy Center and Konrad Adenauer will present the 2008 Global Accountability Report at the Global Distance Learning Center of Asian Institute of Management. The One World Trust prepared the report in order to help corporations, NGO’s and intergovernmental organizations address leading crisis all over the world.

Michael Hammer, Executive Director of One World Trust, believes that “a step change is required if we are to avoid more global crises that can affect millions of people in the not so distant future. Today it is finance; tomorrow the accountability problem may hit people failing to respond to climate change or health care issues”.

The launch of the report comes at a time when the Philippines joins the entire world in facing various crises over the past year. Against this backdrop, organizations with power are called to be accountable actors in the search and implementation of solutions. The 2008 Global Accountability Report provides a study of how thirty of the world’s most powerful transnational companies, intergovernmental and non-government organizations operate vis-à-vis their various stakeholders.

This event is free of charge. Seats are available for registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Interested participants for this forum may e-mail Ms. Leticia Labre (Projects Manager) of One World Trust at lclabre@oneworldtrust.org, or Mr. Carlo Francis Raymundo (Program Coordinator - Infrastructure Governance & Regulation) of the AIM Policy Center. For more information about One World Trust and the report, you can check www.oneworldtrust.org.

AIM-Policy Center Hold Forum on Peace and Financial Crisis

At the E-Library of the AIM Conference Center Manila, representatives from civil society, academe and private sector convened for a discussion forum on "Peace, Conflict Transformation and Global Financial Crisis." This was organized by AIM Policy Center in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Center.

The session was primarily led by Professor Johan Galtung, Founder of the Transcend International. Transcend is a peace and development network aiming to "bring about a more peaceful world by using action, education/training, dissemination and research to handle conflicts with empathy, non-violence and creativity." Professor Galtung is a respected international expert on peace-building for 50 years now.

He emphasized that in order for the Philippines to solve issues on poverty and peace, the people need to change mindset and be more creative. They should not be be limited to the old paradigms, and not see things in a very simplistic perspective but actually approach things in multi dimensions. This implies that the citizens have to break old models of economic analysis, which apparently led to the global crisis everyone is now experiencing. Instead, they have to be courageous to create new compelling solutions that they believe would address the poverty gap and need for peace.

Youth Brings Up the Peace Antenna at AIM

The Young Moro Professionals publicized their advocacy for peace through a round table discussion at the SGV Conference Hall, AIM Conference Center Manila on February 6, 2009. The discussion was entitled "Our Peace, Your Peace: Mindanao YSpeak, Upping the Peace Antenna".

TV personality and Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee, Karen Davila, acted as the moderator for the forum participated in by representatives from various sectors, national leaders, foundations, private sector, academe and the media. The forum is designed to translate the words of young leaders into concrete actions, and engage national leaders, media, academe and non-government organizations as partners of the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) and Mindanao Young Leaders Parliament (MYLP).

“Youth leaders express themselves so passionately! We need the energy, imagination, and idealism of the youth -- Muslim or non-Muslim. Old paradigms lead us nowhere. They should show their values in action, show their highest ethics, and show what Islam really represents. The Institute will heighten its commitment to bridge the divide,” according to AIM President Francis G. Estrada.

Other comments from the forum participants include:

“Here in AIM, we have always promoted an Islamic perspective. Peace means a lot of people setting aside their differences. We need to get people do things together, so the more we do this, the more we realize that we have similarities and move forward from there.” -Professor Jun Borromeo, AIM Faculty

“If it doesn’t work the first time, try other avenues. This is your country.” – H.E. Kristie Kenny, US Ambassador to the Philippines

“Peace and Development is long overdue. Young Moro Professionals can help.” - Sec. Avelino “Sonny” Razon, Jr., Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP)

“We need effective communication. Young Moro Professionals are inspiration, living proof…” – Christopher Wright, British Embassy

“I encourage young people to support their advocacy for peace.” – Diether Ocampo, KIDS Foundation

AIM Conducts Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) Seminar

AIM conducted a Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Seminar for its employees. This is designed to orient the staff on how to work around the office environment with awareness on implementing safety measures in case one encounters any occupational hazard within the premise. At the same time, it also aims to instill a proactive attitude to everyone at work, where everyone can be prepared for any unforeseen conditions in the office. The sessions were led by EMS Associate, Rey Balbiran last February 5, 2009 at the Indonesian Caseroom.

AIM Preview Goes on a Road show this January

AIM reaches out to prospective students from Manila and the Visayas. This January 2009, the Enrollment Team headed by Dr. Eli Santos, conducted a series of AIM Preview sessions in Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod.

The AIM Preview is designed to give a glimpse of the competitive edge an AIM degree program provides to its students. This is explained by a number of alumni who shared their first hand experience to the participants during the preview sessions.

The Enrollment Team composed of Edythe Bautista, Cathy See, and Rommel Recillo, searched for the best and the brightest down south in Cebu and Bacolod. During the AIM preview in Cebu on January 28-29, Ofel Bisnar a former AIM staff an alumnus (MBM 1988), who is also a Cebuana, shared her story about the rewards and challenges of having an AIM degree. Dr. Eli Santos emphasized the case method approach and the unique learning methodology for both Master in Management and Master in Business Administration programs. He also pointed out the edge in career placement for AIM graduates.

On January 30, 2009 in Bacolod, the Enrollment Team had an audience of 75 senior students (majoring in management, accountancy, finance and hotel and restaurant management). In the evening they gathered in Sweet Greens Restaurant graced by AIM alumni, Enrique Lacson ( MBM 1980), Ramon H.Diaz (MBM 1980), and George Zulueta ( MM, 1980).

The Enrollment Team acknowledges the collective effort of the people who helped make the AIM Roadshow a success, especially the following:

Cebu

• University of Cebu
• Southwestern University
• University of San Carlos
• University of San Jose-Recoletos

Bacolod

• University of St. La Salle

Watch out for more AIM Preview in the country! Interested parties may call Edythe Bautista at 892.4011 local 209, or email her at mbautista@aim.edu.

AIM-EXCELL and Government of India Partners for the Third Time

AIM-EXCELL conducts the ASEAN study tour and training for the 3rd batch of high-level officials from the Government of India. Twenty-six undersecretaries participated in the program that covers discussions on project management and implementation. Company visits were arranged in Malaysia and the Philippines to expose participants to best practices in Asian management. The program runs from February 2 to 13, 2008.

The Season of HeART

The AIM staff took a break from their regular busy work life last Friday, January 30, 2008. Some of them participated in a scrapbook workshop organized by Human Resource Services (HRS). They were spotted enjoying their time at the Soriano caseroom, away from their computers, phones, paper works (and bosses), holding art materials—scissors, colored papers, glue, rulers, and pencils. With the help of Ms. Susan Chupungco, they were able to express their artistic side through creating unique crafts like Valentine heart pocket, Valentine picture wheel card, and a mini blessings journal/album in season for the love month. At the end of the day, everybody were happy with their own “work of art.”

AIM MM 1990 Alumnus Shares Management Insights to MM and MDM Students

The AIM students in Master in Management (MM) and the Master in Development Management (MDM) had the privilege to learn strategic management lessons from the newly appointed Philippine Air Force Commanding Major General Oscar H. Rabena at the ABS-CBN caseroom last February 3, 2009. His talk focused on the importance of different leadership styles, as well as mentoring and coaching.

He is a well respected AIM MM 1990 alumnus. For the past years, he earned citations including a Distinguished Star, a Philippine Legion of Honor, a Gawad sa Kaunlaran Award, a Distinguished Aviation Cross, a Bronze Cross Medal and two Military Merit Medals.

His firm resolute is to inculcate a planning mindset in the Philippine Air Force. “We could dream up the best systems but unless we know how to organize resources, we will fail. This is particularly important given our meager resources and opportunities,” he said.

AIM Moves On!

Today at 10.30 a.m. the AIM staff gathered for a General Assembly at the Soriano Hall. The environment at the Soriano Hall had a positive vibe. The general atmosphere was light and informal, complete with flowing coffee and some snacks.

Everyone was curious about the meeting agenda. Executive Managing Director Carmela Chupungco opened the session, explaining that it was the venue where AIM President Francis Estrada wanted to formally and officially inform the staff of his decision not to renew his contract with AIM. President Estrada said that he enjoyed the responsibility as AIM President and thanked the staff for the consistent positive support. He also expressed that it was an honor to lead the first management school in the Far East, especially at this strategic time when Asia is becoming the center of global economic activity.

President Estrada cited that the positive financial conditions and increased enrollment levels in the Institute were the result of the collective work among the AIM staff. One of the key policies he initiated was the merit based performance reward system, a move that President Estrada believes was instrumental in strengthening AIM's situation. This means that performance of each staff will be evaluated, and will be given due reward. He promised to implement this before his term ends.

Further, he called for a renewal of leadership and passion across the entire AIM community, faculty and staff to re-strengthen the position of AIM as the leading management school of Asia even after his term as AIM President. He reiterated that the staff should continue working as a team, towards the shared goal, moving without an inch of mediocrity, but towards excellence and market leadership.

The staff expressed their respect and gratitude for the service President Estrada rendered to the Institute. The policies and reforms he implemented will be a precedent towards more positive changes in the Institution.