Life Academy International College (LAI College), a modern Christian college based in Ortigas, Pasig, is setting its sights high — aiming to become a transformative force in Philippine higher education by producing globally equipped, values-driven entrepreneurs. And it’s not doing it alone.

Backed by the Honorable Gregory W. Slayton — a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, Ivy League professor, and former U.S. Ambassador — LAI College recently launched its first of many exclusive masterclasses, designed to deliver insights from top global minds directly to Filipino students.

The event, led by Slayton himself, is part of a larger mission to bring global expertise to local learners and position LAI as a premier hub for entrepreneurship education in the Philippines.

“I want LAI to be the Harvard of the Philippines,” Slayton told Daily Tribune, echoing the institution’s bold vision. “The greatest teacher is you.”

As an executive consultant and guest lecturer at LAI, he is helping shape the school's specialized tracks in entrepreneurship — including technology, social impact, family business, agribusiness, and corporate innovation — all geared toward high-impact nation-building.

Reinventing higher education

Founded with a vision to bridge global best practices with local relevance, LAI College is disrupting traditional models of tertiary education. Its core philosophy combines mentorship, global exposure, and real-world learning to prepare students for the complexities of modern business and leadership.

Edric Mendoza, LAI College’s Managing Director, believes that education should be both experiential and transformative. “Why not get some of the best people with a similar passion?” Mendoza said, referring to the school’s faculty and global partners. “Through mentorship, fieldwork, and international immersion, our students don’t just learn business — they live it.”

Built by purpose

LAI College offers a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship with five industry-focused tracks, backed by real-world experience through its Field Work Program and World Insight Program. These programs give students the opportunity to meet with mentors and business leaders while also providing internship opportunities across the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, and the U.S.

Students will be mentored by leaders like Glenn Yu, CEO of Seaoil, and Ramon Manzana of Honda Prestige Traders, among others.

Its 20-level vertical campus in Ortigas features modern smart classrooms, innovation labs, athletics facilities, and think rooms designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and leadership.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Slayton emphasized the unique opportunity that lies in Philippine agribusiness — one of LAI’s five focus tracks. “Agribusiness is an absolute opportunity here in the Philippines to take advantage of by entrepreneurs. The geographical advantage here cannot be replicated in the U.S.,” he said, highlighting how future-ready education can directly influence national development.

More ahead

The recent masterclass is just the first in a series of upcoming sessions featuring respected global and local leaders. These events aim not only to enrich LAI’s student experience but to establish the institution as a trailblazer in business education across Southeast Asia.

With its pioneering model, top-tier faculty, and international partnerships, LAI College is well on its way to building the next generation of Filipino entrepreneurs who are not only business-savvy but driven by purpose.