The 2025 Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting of the, held in Indianapolis, USA from April 3 to 5, marked a historic milestone for the Philippines and the broader Asian Region as Dr. Ignacio Cordova Jr. was elected to the IACBE Board of Directors.
Dr. Cordova, Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy and the College of Hospitality and Institutional Management at Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), was nominated and subsequently elected by the assembly to represent Region 10, the Asian assembly, on the IACBE Board. This achievement establishes him as the first Filipino to hold a directorship seat in the prestigious international accreditation body.
His election signifies recognition of his longstanding dedication to the advancement of business education in Asia. The process saw his nomination accepted by an international organization widely respected for its outcomes-based accreditation and global business education initiatives. The final approval was conferred by representatives from 12 global regions.
This appointment not only highlights Dr. Cordova’s personal and professional accomplishments but also signals a critical breakthrough for Philippine business education and the Asian academic community. His presence on the Board is expected to bolster the international standing of Asian educational institutions and promote the distinctive strengths of Asian business education on a global stage.
In his message of gratitude, Dr. Cordova acknowledged the steadfast support of Our Lady of Fatima University, particularly University President Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez, and the leadership of the IACBE Executive Committee under Interim President Dr. Archish Maharaja. He credited this collective encouragement and shared vision for internationalization as instrumental in his election to the Board.
As he takes on this new role, Dr. Cordova reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to the growth of IACBE in Asia and invited Philippine business schools to engage with the organization, emphasizing its potential to guarantee excellence and enhance the global competitiveness of local institutions.
This development marks a new chapter of growth, collaboration, and international recognition for Philippine and Asian business education within the IACBE community.
Story by Raymond Lumagsao based on the endorsed narrative report of the College of Business and Accountancy and the College of Hospitality and Institutional Management (CHIM)
