The Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao-Arizona State University (MMCM-ASU) collaboration, together with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), shared valuable insights on Wednesday on how to promote Mindanao’s economic growth and develop future leaders for the region.

The roundtable discussion focused on how the institution equips students with a global business education aligned with MinDA’s agenda on innovation and the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Dubbed as “Think Global, Grow Local: Empowering Tomorrow’s Mindanaoan Business Leaders,” Andrea Bianca Gonzales, an MMCM faculty member, said the institution aims to produce graduates who would spearhead innovation in their respective areas in Mindanao.

“Like our BS Entrepreneurship program for instance, we teach students how to create new products, services, or processes that could help the MSMEs here in Mindanao,” she said.

Gonzales added that they encouraged their students to use emerging technologies available in the market or online. She also highlighted the institution’s service-learning initiatives, including exposing students to MSMEs in rural areas.

“With that, they will be able to see the challenges in Mindanao. Some students saw it and wanted to contribute to the development of Mindanao,” she said.

Romeo Montenegro, MinDA Assistant Secretary and Deputy Director, said the collaboration aims to ensure that services and products in Mindanao meet global standards.

“If this (collaboration) could integrate many global standards, then we can access larger markets for our products,” he said.

Montenegro added that the partnership would also promote Mindanao as an island ready for investment. (PNA)