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.”

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