SAN FRANCISCO—Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) is hosting an international symposium with the aim of further developing the nation’s economy through the advancement of science and technological innovation. The conference is funded through a large and prestigious grant from the United States Agency for International Development Philippines (USAID/P). These monies have helped create a project called IDEA (Innovative Development through Entrepreneurship Acceleration) that is bringing entrepreneurship training and culture into the growing engineering and science programs in the Philippine higher education system.
The IDEA Global Entrepreneurship Symposium, which will become an annual event, takes place on March 17 in Manila. It will function as a platform to create and expand dialogue between the US and Philippine higher education institutes, government officials, and industry leaders. It is also being viewed as an important venue to link upstart companies and venture capitalists with emerging technologies and expertise. U.S. entrepreneurs, executives, venture capitalists, and professors are expected to participate in panels on innovation and entrepreneurship from leading experts in the fields of trade, industry, finance, and higher education.
“We are very excited about the launch of this annual symposium, just one of many projects that are being funded through the generous USAID grant,” says PhilDev Chairman Dado Banatao. “We are optimistic that the programs and partnership initiatives that PhilDev is establishing in science and technology, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship will be key in helping PhilDev accomplish its mission of growing a globally-competitive Philippine economy.”
The IDEA project is one of a suite of targeted activities funded by USAID/Philippines that, under Partnership for Growth Initiative, address the most serious constraints to broad-based and inclusive economic growth and development in the Philippines.
For more information on the IDEA Symposium, please visit www.phildev.org.
About PhilDev:
PhilDev is a non-profit organization, registered in both the United States and the Philippines, with a mission to develop sustainable, long-term economic growth for the Philippines. The organization focuses on programs that develop the nation’s economy with the advancement of science and technology through programs in high tech education, research, and entrepreneurship training. (www.phildev.org)
About USAID:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. The organization’s goals include providing economic, developmental and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States.
The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information about USAID and its programs, please visit www.usaid.gov
This press release is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its content is the responsibility of PhilDev, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
US Contact:
Jonesy Castro
(510) 502-0122
Manila Contact:
Emil Tapnio
Program Director – USAID IDEA
(+632) 910-6010 local 5203
Koleen Davila Palaganas
Executive Director
(+63917) 538-2332
