Why Investing in Students Boosts Social Impact

Investing in students isn’t just about their personal growth; it’s about shaping a brighter future for all of us. As we look for innovative solutions to tackle socio-environmental issues, it’s becoming more clear that students are a crucial resource. Their fresh perspectives make them ideal leaders for social change.

For example, during ideathons we hosted last month in partnership with EY GDS Philippines, students from UP Los Banos, Laguna University, and Ateneo de Manila University tackled issues like the future of work with AI, food security, and climate action. These ideathons showed that, when given the platform and support, students can come up with creative and practical solutions to a range of socio-environmental challenges.

makesense Asia with student innovators at UP Los Banos

One key aspect of these ideathons was the focus on actual problems instead of hypothetical situations to encourage students to find solutions that are relevant to society. But coming up with great ideas is just the beginning.

Connecting students with experienced professionals, like those from EY GDS Philippines, provides them with the necessary guidance to refine and execute their ideas. This mentorship and access to a broader network can open doors that students might not have had access to, making their social entrepreneurship journey more accessible.

Partnerships like these highlight how collaborations with different sectors bring fresh perspectives and resources that can bring about greater innovation. Students benefit from the professionals’ support and expertise while institutions gain new, innovative ideas and solutions.

Beyond mentorship and collaboration, investing in students ensures a steady flow of fresh ideas into the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. This sustainability is crucial; as older generations of social entrepreneurs move on, the next generation can be ready to step up.

By nurturing student innovation today, we help build a pipeline of capable and inspired leaders that are ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.