Pepsi, Ateneo offer post-grad program for future executives

MANILA, Philippines - Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) has partnered with the Ateneo University for a 24-month scholarship grant for its qualified and deserving employees.

Pepsi University (PU) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Ateneo Graduate School of Business (AGSB) formalizing their collaboration on a pioneering educational program designed to prepare our own people for top executive positions.

“This partnership is an investment in our workers. We believe that highly competent managers are the key to the successful execution of our business strategies,” PCPPI’s Partho Chakrabarti said.

“Learning and development is a competitive tool and the existence of a corporate university is a manifestation of our commitment to people empowerment,” Chakrabarti stressed.

PCPPI has described its executive leadership program as a first in the country.

PU senior vice president Roberto Goce noted that the PCPPI would ultimately benefit from the special scholarship program by “optimizing use of the research facilities of both the AGSB and the PU.”

“By integrating the internal initiatives and business trends into the program, we expect to generate a managerial savvy within our staff imperative to formulating innovative business strategies and obtaining the desired results,” the PU chief explained.

For its part, the AGSB integrates its baseline standards in selecting the first batch of 20 scholars from the PCPPI’s business units nationwide.

PU administrator Dessie Dayo said the program aims to enhance the competency of potential employees to lead and manage Pepsi’s operations now and in the future.

Set to kick off this coming November, the 24-month post graduate study to be conducted by the AGSB leads to a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree in Corporate Entrepreneurship.

“Such partnerships between business schools and corporate universities has become an increasing trend in the United States,” Bayan Academy chair Dr. Ed Morato said.

Established in 2005, the PU serves as the training and capability-building arm of PCPPI, with a view to creating business executives from the ranks of its own workforce.