SU American Corner trains youth on social entrepreneurship

The American Corner (AC) Dumaguete-Silliman University (SU) trained members of the youth on “Creating and Maintaining Social Enterprises” through a massive open online course (MOOC) camp from August 9 to 12, 2023.

The four-day camp aimed to strengthen the youth’s civil leadership skills, develop partnerships and collaboration techniques, and effectively propose a possible non-government organization (NGO) anchored in their advocacy.

Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope, SU vice president for academic affairs, led the orientation of participants.  Asst. Prof. Novee Maestrecampo, SU Office of Community Engagement OIC director, served as the keynote speaker. In his message, Maestrecampo emphasized the importance of social entrepreneurship and social impact in creating community projects.

Carmen Roceli M. Lopez, CEO of HerStore Asia, talked about making a difference through social enterprises in her message as the guest speaker on the third day of the MOOC camp.

The participants also visited the Kawayan Collective at Dauin, Negros Oriental to learn from the organization’s sustainability practices and observe how their bamboo-based products are made.

For their final output, the participants presented their NGO proposals. The judges were Francis Lianro H. Bulado, MOOC camp alumnus; Asst. Prof. Joshua Soldivillo, Project STEAMify project leader and MOOC camp facilitator; and Asst. Prof. Sarah Angiela Ragay, university librarian.

AC Dumaguete-SU culminated the MOOC camp with a graduation ceremony for the 21 course completers at the SU Audio Visual Theater 1.  Dr. Gina Bonior, College of Education dean, served as the graduation speaker. In her speech, she encouraged the completers to create projects that are beneficial for the community.

Pauline Anderson, deputy public engagement attaché of the United States Embassy in the Philippines, also delivered a congratulatory message.Completers received a certificate from the US Embassy, seed funding, and freebies like shirts.

AC Dumaguete-SU opened the application process for the MOOC camp last July 10, inviting individuals aged 18 to 35 years old to apply. (Photos: SU)