Lina Fe Simoy, a UP Open University (UPOU) Master of Development Communication student, placed second in US-ASEAN Innovation Circle Grassroots Competition.
Lina Fe Simoy, a UP Open University (UPOU) Master of Development Communication student, was hailed as the runner-up in the US-ASEAN Innovation Circle Grassroots Competition “Challenge #4: How to Ensure a Sustainable Supply of Human Capital in the Fast-changing Digital Economy.” Her entry was among the more than 200 submissions from different countries in the ASEAN Region. She was also the only Filipino in the top 14.
A typhoon Haiyan survivor, Lina Fe believes that it is in the Filipino spirit to learn how to manage hardship. She endeavored to address the challenges faced by many during the pandemic by further harnessing the role that the internet can play to not just connect, but also empower businesses and individuals. She developed a platform that could provide online work opportunities to talented Filipinos by connecting them with international clients in urgent need of social media marketing and business process optimization.
In an email interview, Lina Fe said that it is a great honor and a reward for the kind of studies she previously engaged in. Although the pandemic has halted some of her usual activities, she saw it as an opportunity to focus on her academics and personal projects.
“The pandemic has certainly significantly accelerated the growth of the internet economy – a sector I knew well before COVID-19; it was only natural for me to leverage my skill set to assist my community in a time of need” Simoy said. “Providing the vast human capital available right here in the Philippines with efficient opportunities to learn, grow and create value for themselves and others is a lifetime aspiration of mine, that transcends the events of COVID-19. I certainly have to thank UP for nurturing this aspiration in me over the years” she added.
As a message to fellow students braving their classes at this time, Simoy shared that studying something that you are truly interested in and passionate about, under the guidance of dedicated teachers, can unlock lots of opportunities even in the face of adversity.
Simoy completed her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts at UP Tacloban in 2009.
The US-ASEAN Innovation Circle Grassroots Competition is open to all residents of ASEAN member countries and is hosted by the U.S. Mission to the ASEAN. The competition aims to gather solutions and collaboratively solve challenges to innovation in ASEAN countries. It covers a total of 7 challenges under 4 main categories namely, Challenges to Innovation related to Women’s Entrepreneurship, Challenges to Innovation related to Digital Economy, Challenge to Innovation related to Socially Responsible Business, and Challenges to Innovation related to Fostering Start-Up Environments.
Link to the announcement:Â https://interactive.america.gov/asean-innovation-awards/.
Written by Gelyzza Marie Diaz
Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Cañas-Llamas
Photo submitted by Lina Fe Simoy
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