Fifteen (15) faculty members and eighteen (18) students from the different schools/departments of Biliran Province State University participated the 5^th International Social Business Summer Program (ISBSP), in partnership with the Daffodil International University in Bangladesh, which started last August 14.

BiPSU delegates were among the 135 participants from 37 universities of 21 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North & South America joining the Virtual ISBSP 2021 with its motto, ‘New Minds for New World’.

Among the student-delegates include Jeremy Ryan Balondo, Jhanneca Mondelo, Leomel Amparado, Krizzia Fe Canezo, Rudy Atok, Mary Ann Luna, Franco Madeja, Jimmy Palen, Rose Ann Retanal, Ralph Arvic T. Arcenal, Judy Ann Saplad, Jose Lorenzo Tuano, Darwin Cabatas, Mark Satorre, Rosaly Pelipel, Jelly Asis, Marjorie Dacer and Cristina Villotes.

On the other hand, faculty participants consist of Ramon Pitao, Arnel Gamez, Kevin Lagat, Sergio Matugas, Lorenzo Dela Cruz, Annel Ruth Celis, Vina Jayubo, Vennie Coton, Alexander Rex Sanosa, Vic Marie Bornillo, Bayani Castillo, Constantino Lazona, Baby Danica Nunez, Honey Rhoey Romero and Shielomay Majait.

Dr. Maribelle Zipagan, Director of the Internationalization Affairs Office, explained that ISBSP is the world’s first virtual summer program on social business aimed at unleashing the potentials of young minds and enhance the aptitudes of professionals to make a better world.

According to Dr. Zipagan this mobility program also aims to engage faculty and students to an international mobilization program by letting the participants create their own social business and differentiate between conventional business as well as NGOs; gather support from stakeholders and turn the idea into a real business; connect business with SDG goals for a better community and world; and enhance the leadership skills to solve a particular social problem of the world and acquire social entrepreneurship mindset

“Virtual mobility programs for students and faculty members are no less that their original counterpart, the physical mobility programs. COVID-19 is not a hindrance in achieving these goals. Rather, it gives us another alternative to redesign programs and activities,” Dr. Zipagan said.

She also emphasized that by sending faculty members and students to the virtual ISBSP 2021, the university is a step closer towards fulfilling one of its WOW BiPSU university graduate attributes - technopreneurial literacy regardless of the academic major.

“We are grateful to the university administration for the support it extended for our faculty and students and the internationalization initiatives that we have such as this program,” Dr. Zipagan added.

Aside from shouldering the registration fee of the 33 delegates, the administration has also provided accommodation for the students and faculty, technological support such as connectivity and provision of laptops as well as their meals for the duration of the said training.

Moreover, the said activity will run until August 18 where participants are expected to come up with a social business plan.