On 7 March 2022, the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship, College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños in partnership with Nestle Philippines held the “Town Hall” to launch the latter’s Net Zero advocacy. The virtual event was attended by ABME 10 faculty members-in-charge. Almost 300 students of ABME 10 (Foundations of Entrepreneurship) for the 2nd semester Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022.
The Net Zero advocacy is part of Nestle’s global ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as a response to the United Nation’s (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). Part of the campaign involves reducing the use of plastics, thereby, reducing domestic GHG (green house gas) emissions in its operations. Nestle Philippines commits and takes part in this advocacy parallel to its mission of creating a shared value for the families, communities, and the environment.
Asst. Prof. Rei Chino C. Pua and Asst. Prof. Maria Noriza Q. Herrera who served as masters of ceremony opened the event with a game. The trivia questions focused on fun and interesting facts about Nestle and a number of the firm’s innovative products that tickled ABME 10 students’ curiosity.
The main event kicked-off with Asst.Prof. Renen Szilardo C. de Guzman (DAME’s Nestle Net Zero Coordinator) sharing the inspiration behind the collaboration as well as the mechanics for the Net Zero Ideanation program which was integrated in the ABME10 module.
Nestle Philippines’ AVP (Assistant Vice President) for Sustainability and Public Affairs, Ms. Christine Ponce-Garcia, presented the Net Zero program. Ms. Ponce-Garcia explained Nestle’s rationale, current initiatives and various processes that can serve as springboard for students to create their own unique and creative ideas. These focused on responsible sourcing of raw materials and transforming operations towards less and eventually a waste-free future.
Journeying through the course, the students are tasked with “ideating” creative business ideas and solutions that are in line with the Net Zero advocacy. The best concepts selected will be taken a step further where the students will undergo a mentorship program from business experts to refine their ideas. A pitch competition will be the highlight of the activity where the champion will be named the “Net Zero Ideanation winner.”
In building a more livable future for the current and next generations, collaboration is the key among all stakeholders. At present, every idea, big or small, can provide a spark that will ignite a chain of ideas and solutions.This was the story behind the partnership between the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) through the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (DAME) and Nestle Philippines; providing solutions by involving the younger generations.The event ended with a closing remarks from Asst. Prof. Cris B. Bonalos (ABME 10 faculty-in-charge & UIC Chair) who represented DAME Chairman, Asst. Prof. Mar B. Cruz. Sir Cris underscored that an empowered young generation of great minds, inspired, and driven toward an advocacy will be ready to take on the challenge to a waste-free future. This is IdeaNation!
