The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), the philanthropic arm of the Gokongwei Group, recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its flagship technology-vocational scholarship program, Iskolar ni Juan (INJ). Launched in 2014 in partnership with Universal Robina Corporation (URC), the Gokongwei Group’s flagship food manufacturing business, the program provides education-to-employment opportunities for underprivileged youth.
Iskolar ni Juan offers a fully subsidized scholarship covering tuition, transportation, school supplies, uniforms, accommodation, and meals for underprivileged senior high school graduates and college undergraduates between 18 and 28 years old. Scholars receive free board and lodging at the GBF Technical Training Center in Calamba City, Laguna. They undergo a seven-month academic term at the center followed by a five-month on-the-job training stint at URC plants and other business affiliates. The GBF training facility is equipped with classrooms featuring didactic lab equipment to simulate actual plant production setups, along with dormitories and a cafeteria.
Raymond Ganotice, School Director of the GBF Technical Training Center, emphasizes that INJ students are trained not only in technical skills but also in life skills, as they are given leadership and job-readiness workshops to help them become employable. Ganotice says, “Throughout the 10 years of the program, over 500 graduates have been deployed to URC plants nationwide. URC is our key partner in this program because they have funded and absorbed the students from the beginning. To scale, we want to get more partners like URC who can commit to our promise of education to employment."
Reena Tecson, Human Resources Director of URC, shares, “Once the scholars start their jobs, we can see that they are very dedicated and driven to excel, maybe as a way of showing gratitude for the opportunity given to them. Their jobs allow them to help their families and even pay for the education of their younger siblings. We really see the impact that this program can bring to the individual, the family and the community that they will serve.” She adds that about 60% of the INJ graduates are still working with URC, while others have moved on to pursue college degrees or work for manufacturing companies both locally and internationally.
In her speech at the 10th anniversary celebration, Marcia Gokongwei, a trustee of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation and Managing Director of URC, reflected on the foundation's purpose: "My father once said, 'Education is the only way to save this country,' and he believed in this wholeheartedly that he put up Gokongwei Brothers Foundation with his brothers for that singular purpose of pushing this advocacy. One of the very first projects of GBF is the GBF Technical Training Center, initially built in Pasig back in 1999, then moved here to Laguna just recently. This center is meant to sharpen technical skills needed in the manufacturing industry so we can remain competitive globally.”
The core mission of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation is to build the future through education. Founded in 1992, the foundation is committed to the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, believing that these fields are the driving force for sustainable national development.
To further this cause, GBF aims to double its current scholars in the next three years to maximize the potential of the program and the technical training center in producing tech-skilled and workforce-ready graduates. It also seeks to build more partnerships that will support the recruitment, training, and employment of underprivileged youth through Iskolar ni Juan.
In its continued efforts to broaden the search for qualified scholars, the GBF team regularly visits schools in CALABARZON (comprising the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, as well as the highly urbanized city of Lucena) and Bataan. Accepted senior high school graduates are provided with free transportation from their residence to the GBF Technical Training Center. Once a batch of 22 to 25 students is assembled, they begin their seven-month intensive training in mechatronics and instrumentation, followed by a five-month deployment to a URC production facility for on-the-job training, where they can immediately apply their learnings. Upon completion of the one-year program, they receive the National Certificate II (NCII) certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Jhan Albert Avila, a graduate of the program’s seventh batch, gratefully shared his perspective on Iskolar ni Juan’s impact. “Bilang isang Iskolar, masasabi kong ang aking mga karanasan sa pagaaral at pag stay sa GBF Technical Training Center ay isang makulay na paglalakbay dahil na rin sa lahat ng mga nakasalamuha ko at sa mga magagaling kong naging guro ay na makapag tapos ako at masasabi kong naging mabungang produkto ng ating minamahal na programa. Malaki ang naitulong sa akin ng programa ng INJ sapagkat dito nahubog ang aking kaalaman sa technical at maging sa aking personal development. Nang natapos ang aking programa sa INJ, nakapag trabaho agad ako at patuloy na pinapaunlad ang aking sarili bilang isang empleyado ng URC.” (As a scholar, I can say that my experience studying and staying at the GBF Technical Training Center was a colorful journey because of all the people I met and the great teachers I had that enabled me to finish and say that I became fruitful product of our beloved program. The INJ program helped me a lot because it shaped my technical knowledge and even my personal development. After completing my INJ program, I immediately got a job and continued to develop myself as an employee of URC.)
Addressing members of the GBF and INJ community, Avila said that he considers the INJ program a life-changing experience, not just for himself, but also for his family. "Dahil sa oportunidad na ipinagkaloob nito sa akin, nakapag tapos po ng college degree ang aking dalawang kapatid sa kursong Political Science at Psychology." (Because of the opportunity I was given, two of my siblings were able to complete courses in Political Science and Psychology.)
This kind of transformative impact exemplifies the Gokongwei Group's broader vision for growth and development. With a firm belief in the country's future, it is investing not just in the latest manufacturing technologies but also in the people who will run them. GBF’s INJ program is a testament to this commitment, offering opportunities that transform lives and entire communities.
For more information on the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, visit gokongweibrothersfoundation.org
