At a strategic planning workshop held last January 6 at the Discovery Suites, Mandaluyong City, SERDEF trustees and selected members drew up a road map for the Foundation to follow in the next few years in terms of research and publications, programs and projects, and governance and compliance.
Topmost in the research and publications plan is to develop training programs using e-learning approaches and methodologies as well as to support funding requirements of partner UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) for developing e-learning programs.
Two research projects were identified as priority for 2011: an applied research on building enterprising society through education starting from pre-school and a study on the impact of existing laws and mSME development with an eye to identifying areas for further policy-making and legislation.
Another important activity was the formulation of a SERDEF brand name – a specific image by which the Foundation would be made known and promoted among its target publics.
In terms of other programs and projects, the following will be pursued: identification of industry clusters where intervention by the Foundation is strongly indicated and projects that would promote innovative technology transfer process that are at the same time ecology-friendly.
In order to achieve these, the Foundation eyed stronger collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (particularly its mPEX project) and a stronger involvement by the private sector.
In governance, the Foundation will identify the SERDEF niche and seek to promote synergy in the ongoing SERDEF-UP ISSI alliance by a clearer delineation of roles and responsibilities, including leadership functions.
Other priorities identified include: monitoring of fund utilization; partnering with institutions for productivity programs; linking with local government units to strengthen their capacity to support mSMEs; promoting a culture of entrepreneurship in the country starting with grade school education; and encouraging active participation of the general SERDEF membership.
The strategic planning workshop was facilitated by Eduardo Canela and Angelita Resurreccion.
The closing dinner was graced by incoming University of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual, who will serve as ex-officio vice chairman of the SERDEF Board of Trustees.