MSU-IIT Alumni Take Center Stage in YSEALI
Four alumni from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) are advancing their leadership journeys through the United States–based Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). The prestigious program connects young leaders from across Southeast Asia to cultivate leadership skills, expand regional networks, and tackle shared challenges. The fellows represent MSU-IIT and the Philippines on a global stage dedicated to innovation, civic engagement, and economic empowerment.
Academic Fellows Program: Diverse Focus Areas
Three MSU-IIT alumni are participating in the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program, which invites undergraduates and recent graduates aged 18 to 25 for a five-week academic institute in the United States. The participants and their areas of focus are:
- Jaylou L. Havana, BS Economics (Class of 2025) — Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Kansas
- Jayson Bunyao Abad, BA Sociology (Class of 2024) — Civic Engagement, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Anthony Adrian Cale, BS Environmental Engineering (Class of 2023) — Natural Resources, East-West Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa
The program blends academic sessions, leadership training, educational trips, and community engagement activities. It culminates in a series of events conducted in Washington, D.C., offering participants a chance to network with peers, mentors, and professionals across the region.
Professional Fellows Program: Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
In a complementary track, Constantino Ajero Brasileño Jr., TBI Coordinator of IDEYA: Center of Innovation and Technopreneurship, joins the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program under the Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment theme. He is currently placed at Alabama A&M University for a five-week fellowship, followed by a four-week professional placement with relevant private or public sector organizations. This experience is designed to sharpen leadership capabilities, broaden professional networks, and provide hands-on exposure to entrepreneurial ecosystems in the United States.
Impact and Reflections from MSU-IIT
As these scholars and professionals participate in YSEALI, they carry with them the mission of MSU-IIT: to cultivate leaders who can contribute to development at local, national, and regional levels. In a recent exchange with Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan, Jayson Abad expressed gratitude for the opportunity and spoke about strengthening collaboration between academe and civil society organizations. He noted that the program fosters essential reflections on civic engagement and the potential for collaboration to benefit the CASS community upon return to the Philippines.
The Chancellor welcomed these insights and emphasized his enthusiasm for hosting sharing sessions once the delegates complete their fellowships. By connecting MSU-IIT’s strengths in science, technology, and social sciences with YSEALI’s regional network, the university aims to amplify opportunities for students and alumni alike.
Looking Ahead: A Regional Leadership Network
YSEALI’s ethos centers on empowering the next generation of Southeast Asian leaders. For MSU-IIT alumni, the program is more than a learning experience; it is a gateway to international collaboration, cross-cultural exchange, and practical experiences in entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, and civic leadership. As these scholars return home, they are expected to share insights, best practices, and new partnerships that can benefit MSU-IIT’s programs and the broader Philippine academic and policy landscape.
With the prestige of YSEALI on their resumes, these MSU-IIT alumni step into roles that can influence education policy, community development, and sustainable innovation across the region. The partnership between MSU-IIT and YSEALI signals a commitment to nurturing bold, globally aware leaders who can address Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges.
