Ayala Corp., which turns 191 years old this year, is teaming up with the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation Inc. (UPERDFI) to support AI programs via scholarships, graduate research funding, and faculty projects through 2026.
Management’s view
“AI and data science are critical to generating insights and ideas for better decision-making that can help us deliver on our purpose to build businesses that enable people to thrive,” said Karl Kendrick Chua, Ayala managing director and group head for data science and artificial intelligence.
“We appreciate the opportunity and are excited to work with UP in advancing knowledge in these fields that benefit both industry and the country,” he added.
Ayala’s interest in AI led to the creation of a dedicated data analytics and AI team, known as AC Analytics.
It mainly focuses on “building data maturity, analytics capacity, and data solutions, especially for emerging business units.”
UP welcomes tie-up
“Through the Ayala and Nation-Building Projects, Ayala teams and UP Engineering faculty can collaborate to develop solutions for the most pressing needs of the industry and the nation,” said Maria Antonia Tanchuling, dean of the UP College of Engineering.
“Through this collaboration ably supported by Ayala Corporation, we shall endeavor in delivering impactful projects to benefit our country and our people,” Tanchuling added.
The partnership signing was held last Jan. 15 in the presence of Ayala executives Francisco Romero Milán, managing director for corporate resources and chief human resource officer, and Jaime Urquijo, chief sustainability and risk officer.
Ayala president and CEO Cezar Consing and chief finance officer Albert de Larrazabal also attended the program.
UP was represented by Tanchuling, Angelito Bermudo, president of UPERDFI, and Pros Naval, head of the Computer Vision and Machine Intelligence Group and AI program chair.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
