The Asian Institute of Management’s (AIM) Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ASITE) is building a new generation of leaders who can use technology and business skills to tackle real-life challenges. The school recently held a forum to discuss how innovation, data, and entrepreneurship are shaping industries in the Philippines.
While the event also marked ASITE’s eighth anniversary, the school’s work goes beyond celebrations. It was founded to equip leaders who can respond to big national problems, from natural disasters to technological disruptions, using practical, creative solutions. Prof. Christopher Monterola, head of ASITE, said the school now accounts for more than half of AIM’s growth in student numbers, reflecting its role as a hub for innovators, technologists, and entrepreneurs.
Alumni stories show the impact of ASITE’s approach. Matthew A. Cua, a graduate of the Master in Innovation and Business program, shared how his career changed after Typhoon Yolanda. At the time, he shifted from environmental science to using drones for disaster response, mapping areas where information was scarce and helping rescue operations. He later helped bring high-speed internet solutions like Starlink to remote and disaster-hit areas, making communication during emergencies faster and more reliable.
“ASITE is a platform for good ideas that might just work,” he said, showing how the school encourages practical solutions.
AIM ASITE’s academic programs focus on combining technical skills with business thinking. It offers degrees in innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, and data analytics, a PhD in data science, and the Philippines’ first double degree in business and data science. The school also runs the Analytics, Computing, and Complex Systems Lab and hosts the country’s fastest AI supercomputer, supporting research and national projects like the Philippine National AI Strategy Roadmap.
Monterola noted that advances in AI and computing, like the transformer architecture that processes huge amounts of data efficiently, are driving rapid changes in industries. Leaders who understand both the technology and how to apply it in business are increasingly in demand, he said.
AIM ASITE graduates are putting these skills into action across sectors. From improving disaster response to developing AI solutions for businesses, the school is producing leaders who can turn challenges into practical results. Its anniversary serves as a reminder of how far the school has come, but the bigger story is the real-world impact of its students and alumni. Through technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, ASITE is helping shape a future where problems are met with solutions that make a difference for the country.
Originally published on Back End News.
