On 27 February 2020, the Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) hosted Global Professional Advancement’s “ 2nd International Lecture-Forum on Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the World of Digital Business” at the Assembly Hall of the Research, Innovation, Science, and Enterprise (RISE) Tower, Valenzuela Campus. Geared to share insights and updates on developments in the industry amidst the digital age, the event was conducted in partnership with Portsworld Academy Malaysia.
CBA students from the Valenzuela and Pampanga Campuses, together with delegates from Colegio de San Juan De Letran, Adventist University of the Philippines, and Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas, participated in the lecture-forum, which featured talks from professionals in the academe, and in the public and private sectors.
Present was the Dean of the CBA and the College of Hospitality and Institutional Management (CHIM), Dr. Ignacio Cordova, who warmly welcomed all the participants.
The first speaker to take the stage was Durairaj Govindasamy, Managing Director of Portsworld Academy Malaysia. In his talk, “Impact of Digitalization on Logistics & Supply Chain Management”, he cited examples of the newest innovations that contribute to the field today. He likewise discussed the impact of these developments in the industry, particularly on inventory, delivery, and human labor.
Later in the event, Govindasamy also led a presentation on the Online Professional Certificate in Logistics & Supply Chain Management offered by his institution.
Another speaker was Dr. Jay Sario, Professor and Business Consultant at Chiang Kai Shek College. His talk focused on E-commerce, a very relevant topic in the country and around the world today. Aside from giving an overview on what E-commerce is and why it is considered a “booming” industry, he also mentioned its challenges, such as online fraud, internet connectivity issues, and scarcity of talents.
Samuel Bautista, President and Chief Learning Officer of the Academy of Developmental Logistics, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Technical Committee Member, also shared his expertise through his talk on “Prospects and Challenges of Logistics in the Philippines.” This included a through discussion of trade logistics, as well as significant changes, developments, and issues. Technology and E-commerce were likewise integrated in his discussion.
After a sumptuous lunch, participants were given the chance to interact with the speakers through a Panel Discussion moderated by Dr. Joycelyn S. Dayrit, Project Consultant of Global Professional Advancement, and Professor at Holy Angel University.
An overview of Portsworld Academy’s Learning Management System was then presented by Jairaj Durairaj, Academic Program Coordinator. This was followed by testimonies from students who have used the said system.
The last speaker to take the stage was Bienvenido L.C. Encarnacion, Professor at De La Salle University, who discussed “Changing Business Models in the World of Digital Marketing”. In his segment, he talked about recent changes that are being experienced in the world of business brought about by the digital age.
Officially closing the program was Dr. Rommel Lazatin, CBA Program Head of the Pampanga Campus. In his speech, he encouraged the audience, “Try to assess yourself and realize the things that make you relevant – relevant in the modern times.”
Acknowledging that most of the listeners are students, he said “In your own little ways, you have to realize your importance, not just in your society, in general, and the business sector, but in your own community and in your own school.” He likewise gave a message to educators present, saying that they should “unlearn things that we have learned from the past”, empowering openness to new insights and developments.
