The Board of Investments (BoI) has launched the Academe-Industry Matching (AIM) GeoMap, a digital platform that connects educational institutions with strategic industry clusters and economic zones across the Philippines.

The tool was officially unveiled during a recent Educational Investment (ENvest) Forum for Corporate Community Partnership for Development (CCPD).

The AIM GeoMap, developed in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), allows investors and businesses to visually identify nearby academic institutions, training facilities, industry clusters, and supporting infrastructure.

Targeted initiatives

The tool facilitates targeted corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and partnerships aligned with workforce needs, building on the broader AIM Program first introduced by the BoI in 2024.

The ENvest Forum provided a platform for BoI-registered business enterprises (RBEs) to align their CSR efforts with national education priorities under the CCPD framework.

Companies can direct resources toward AIM!-supported projects, including scholarships, digital infrastructure enhancements, and facility upgrades to address critical gaps in skills development and human capital formation.

Education leaders highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in aligning curricula with evolving industry demands.

“We in the government can provide the resources and direction, but those in the industry are the ones who bring real-time insights into evolving technologies, emerging skills, and the demands of a rapidly changing economy. By working closely with businesses, large or small, we ensure that what happens inside our classrooms remains relevant to the world outside,” DepEd assistant secretary for Public Affairs and External Partnerships Services Cilette Liboro Co.

Pathway for improved education

CHEd chairperson Shirley Castañeda Agrupis added: “We welcome the BoI’s CCPD framework as a pathway for aligning educational programs with national and regional development priorities, ensuring that our learners are responsive to industry needs.

”The event included a Recognition Ceremony honoring companies for their commitments to CCPD-aligned projects under the AIM! Program.

Vitro Inc., Philippine DCS Development Corp., and Kafugan Mining Inc. were recognized for donating solar panels, computer units, and internet subscriptions to beneficiary schools, respectively.

A subsequent matching session enabled direct exploration of partnerships between companies and academic institutions.

BoI executive director for industry development Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa underscored the strategic importance of education investments for long-term economic competitiveness.