LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (June 22) — Twenty-five students of Benguet State University (BSU) are the first beneficiaries of WIWAG Business Week program that resulted in a partnership between Education for Youth Enterprise (EYE) Foundation and Globe Telecom Bridging Communities (BridgeCom).

In a press conference here Monday, Globe Public Relations Head Jones T. Campos explained WIWAG is a contraction of two German words to mean Business Week. He added, it consists of a revolutionary business management simulation training program which originated from Switzerland and has become part of the curriculum in Swiss and German high schools.

EYE Training coordinator Elaine Mapa said the students were grouped into four “companies”, asked to create their own product to “sell” and “compete”. All aspects of business were simulated in workshops and a stockholders’ meeting capped the five-day training Friday.

Campos stressed Globe wanted to show its presence in the remotest towns in the country that it chose BSU as the first beneficiary. “Based on research, we have agri-business here. BSU serves sons and daughters of farmers along the Halsema and as far as Mountain Province,” he said. He added that Globe’s social responsibility extends to the education of the youth. He further said the youth and the communities they come from are important partners in Globe Bridgecom.

Mapa added, the priority of the partnership are state universities which usually educate the brightest among the underprivileged youth.

Using computer-assisted simulation games, WIWAG simulates the development of a business. It teaches participants how to manage a company by enhancing their understanding of departments like finance, production, marketing, and human resources, while showing participants the interrelation of these functions, according to Mapa. addressing issues like collective bargaining agreement, are also part of the European business training module.

“What makes the training program unique are the trainers who are business practitioners volunteering their time and expertise for the project,” Mapa underscored during the press conference.

Dr. Rogelio Colting, BSU president, said the student-beneficiaries are third year college students selected based on their academic performance and expressed interest in entrepreneurship, or the aptitude to put up their own business enterprise after graduation.

Campos clarified that to qualify for the program, to become a manager is not a requirement. Neither is there a contract to be a Globe employee. “What is important is the value of simulation as a training technique,” he emphasized.

To see the trainees put up their own business and succeed is enough indication of success,” Campos said.

Aside from scouting trainees, BSU also provided training venue. Holcim Philippines initiated the creation of EYE Foundation in its bid to address increasing need to enhance business and entrepreneurship education in the country. A fitting graduation ceremonies conferred in the graduates certificate of completion.

Don Mariano Marcos memorial State University (DMMMSU) in Bacnotan La Union has been a beneficiary of WIWAG training. Nine other schools across the country have also availed of the training program from EYE Foundation. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS