22 May 2026
The School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) gathered at Café Romançon, Hotel Benilde on May 8, 2026, to honor the pioneering students of the Bachelor of Science in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BS‑SIE) program. The event, called Primus Milestones, recognized the first cohort for setting the tone and building the identity of a program designed to shape future change‑makers.
The ceremony began with SMIT Dean Joana Diñoso. She told the students, “As the first ever cohort of this pioneering program, you have done more than just complete a degree, you have set the standard, established the culture, and built the very legacy of this academic path.” The program’s focus on leadership and communication came through in her encouragement, as she reminded the cohort that Benilde’s vision depends on leaders who can engage stakeholders clearly and act with compassion.
The idea of impact came up again when Chancellor Benhur Ong addressed the cohort.“You entered a program that was new and untested, yet you believed in its vision,” he said. Ethics and sustainability were at the center of his message. He explained that social innovation and entrepreneurship is about creating impact, serving communities, and ensuring that business is connected to humanity and the world.
Looking back on the program’s beginnings, Atty. John Evan Miguel recalled how BS-SIE first took shape in 2019. “The SIE program was built on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and over the years, it has also integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance principles,” he said. He congratulated the pioneer batch by name, recognizing their role in shaping the program. This reflection just proves how the curriculum trains students to assess organizations strategically, recognize risks, and make rational decisions. Atty. Migs served as BS-SIE’s Program Coordinator until the second term of AY 2025-2026. Starting the third term of AY 2025–2026, Ms. Jane Sy takes over as OIC‑Program Coordinator, continuing the leadership of BS‑SIE.
For Karel Czesley Mendoza of Batch 123, the lessons became real when students started applying them to actual problems. She described how the program taught them to design projects through research and development and apply innovative strategies to real issues. “We have explored courses and alignments that showed us the imperativeness of an entrepreneurial flagship that is not solely profit centered, but one that cares for society and the environment,” she said.
Mendoza recalled the collaborative challenge with the Singapore University of Social Sciences in May 2025, where Benilde students worked with international peers to design startup ideas tackling social issues. Her team developed a platform extension for learning management systems to help students assess strategies more effectively. “As our Chancellor said, we stand here undoubtedly with purpose, for impact, for change, to trailblaze and to value. Something great is in the making.” Her testimony showed how innovation and sustainability outcomes were already alive in the work of the pioneer batch.
The classroom was only part of the experience. BS-SIE was also represented at the Asian Youth Leaders Travel and Learning Camp in Japan. Benilde delegates joined peers from across Asia in workshops and group challenges that pushed them to adapt quickly and work across cultures. They came home with lessons in teamwork, cultural awareness, and the kind of adaptability that the program values. These experiences showed how the training in communication, leadership, and sustainability translates into confidence in global settings.
Primus Milestones recognized the first steps taken by a group of students who chose a new, purpose driven path. Their journey has already shown what it means to innovate for society and humanity, and their legacy will guide the cohorts that follow.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
