More than 60 business educators from universities, colleges, and secondary schools nationwide convened at the University Conference Center of Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila on January 18, 2017 for C & E Publishing Inc.’s Congress and Exhibition for Business Educators, a professional development seminar with the theme “Empowering 21st Century Business Learners.”

Organized in partnership with FEU as part of C & E Publishing’s advocacy of promoting 21st century skills and lifelong learning through professional training, the activity featured lectures and hands-on workshops to update the participants on emerging business industry trends and innovative strategies in teaching present-day business students.

Invited resource speakers included Crisanto Frianeza, Dr. Greg T. Pawilen, Kian Kazemi, Matec Villanueva, Jesse Francis Rebustillo, and Dr. Melva Diamante.

Frianeza, a private-sector observer in the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) Trust Fund Committee and the secretary-general of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, examined the impact of business industry trends on business education.

Pawilen, a curriculum development specialist and technical consultant at the Department of Education, tackled educational directions and the emergence of alternative philosophies of learning for business students.

Kazemi, actor, host, and owner of the thriving restaurant chain Persia Grill, expounded his views on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and innovative entrepreneurship. He presented as well effective strategies in teaching entrepreneurship.

Villanueva, former CEO of Publicis Manila, one of the country’s top advertising agencies, and chairperson of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines, shared her expertise in crafting and delivering engaging digital and mobile marketing techniques.

Rebustillo, AVP for Industrial Relations of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. and president of the People Management Association of the Philippines, reviewed and proposed changes in standard hiring practices, managing styles, and employee rewards, training, and retention to successfully manage a multi-generational workforce.

Diamante, current president of Southville International School and erstwhile human resource management expert and educator in New York City, discussed non-conventional set-ups in teaching human resource management.

FEU, C & E’s event partner, was recognized as a Center of Development in Business Administration for its trailblazing work in various areas of business administration by the Commission on Higher Education in May 2016.