e-Managers Course for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR)-based Startups/Spinoff Enterprises

The University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) has successfully conducted a 10-day e-Managers Course (e-MC) for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR)-based Startups/Spinoff Enterprises on August 15-19, 22-24, 26 and 30, 2022.

In her opening remarks during the graduation ceremony held on August 30, UP ISSI Director Melanie M. Moraga-Leaño congratulated the participants and expressed her hope that the training would help them in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

“Sana ay makatulong ang e-Managers Course na ito sa inyong tatahaking landas bilang startups, (I am hopeful that this e-Managers Course will be of benefit to you in your journeys as startups,” she said. 

The online course consisted of 48 hours of lectures, interactive workshops, and practical exercises facilitated via Zoom platform and the UP ISSI Virtual Learning Environment. 

Twenty-six individuals from the following AANR-based startup/spinoff enterprises have participated in the e-Managers Course:

• • • • Agricom Best Foods Corporation
      • Algacon Aquafeeds Manufacturing
      • AquaCruta Corporation
      • BDOZ Veterinary Products Trading
      • Blitzkrieg Animal Diagnostic Center
      • Dairy Box Dinalupihan
      • Donath Pandesal Station
      • Elbitech Inc.
      • Fullmight Agricultural Corp.
      • IF Green Technologies
      • INSIKLO Organic Waste Compost Production
      • Terraplantae Gardening Services
      • Tripod Agri Trading
      • Twin Cakes and Pastries Shop
      • Verabella Enterprises Ltd. Company

The course curriculum was designed based on the results of the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) administered to the first batch of AANR-based startups/spinoff enterprise beneficiaries under the Levelling-Up of Innovative Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources-based Startups/Spinoffs thru Promotion, Assistance, and Development (LIPAD) Project led by Ms. Marsha Delfinado under UP ISSI’s Business Enterprise Development Division.

Using the TNA results, the UP ISSI developed an e-MC training program which aims to address the gaps identified in terms of knowledge and skills needed by AANR-based startups/spinoffs entrepreneurs to effectively manage, sustain and scale up their enterprises.

Through the e-MC, the participants were given an opportunity to learn and understand the basic concepts of and practical techniques in the four main functional areas of business—marketing, operations/production, organization/human resource, and financial management.

They were also required of a Business Improvement Roadmap (BIR), which they presented during the last day of the training program. 

During the graduation ceremony, the participants were also congratulated by Mr. Noel Catibog, Director of the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division of the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST PCAARRD). He was represented by Mr. Alexander Paul Batalon.

The class response was delivered by Dr. Dana Vera Cruz of Verabella Enterprises Ltd. Company who shared her experiences as an entrepreneur and how the e-Managers Course helped improve her knowledge and skills in managing their spinoff enterprise. 

“With the e-Managers Course, I could say that we are prepared to face all the challenges that will come our way in running our own businesses,” Dr. Vera Cruz said.

“The UP ISSI has equipped us with confidence, perseverance and the right attitude as leaders,” she added.

She thanked the UP ISSI and DOST PCAARRD for organizing the training program and emphasized that it was an invaluable experience.

The e-Managers Course was facilitated by the UP ISSI Training and Entrepreneurship Education Division through its Program Management Team led by Ms. Joanna Rose T. Laddaran and Ms. Allysa Anne M. De Guzman.

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