AIM honors my Leni

The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) honored my wife Leni on what would have been her 84th birthday last Feb. 29 by (1) dedicating its chapel, (2) naming an amphitheater-type classroom, and (3) opening a new full scholarship, after her. She was born on a leap year (1940) and ascended to the Heavenly Kingdom aptly last Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 (See my piece on April 17, 2023 titled “My Leni is gone”). She is the first AIM faculty member to be conferred these honors.

PRESIDED OVER BY DR. JIKYEONG KANG, AIM president and dean, the simple but elegant and formal “Dedication Ceremony” was held at the AIM main campus in Paseo de Roxas, Makati. The “Commemorative Marker” that was installed near the chapel entrance reads:

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“Chapel of the Immaculate ConceptionIn Loving Memory of Professor Leni Panganiban

“This Chapel was rededicated to the Loving Memory of Professor Leni Panganiban on what would have been her 84th birthday on February 29, 2024. Together with Fr. James Donelan, SJ, AIM’s first chaplain, she spent precious time, attention, and resources in quietly and anonymously building, adorning, and upgrading this Chapel.

“Her husband and children, co-faculty members, and friends commemorate this Chapel in remembrance of her wisdom, inner strength of character, enduring love for family, and lifelong devotion to our Risen Lord Jesus and to the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.”

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THE COMMEMORATIVE MARKER IN THE CASE ROOM located at the ground floor (near the entrance) of the AIM main building reads:

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“Professor Leni Panganiban Caseroom

“Professor Leni Panganiban (February 29, 1940–April 9, 2023), MBM 1971, was the first female professor at AIM. She taught faithfully for over three decades and served as Associate Dean for the MM Program.

“This caseroom symbolizes her passion for teaching and dedication to her students, always making herself available to them for professional and personal advice. Her husband (Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban) and children (Maria Elena, Jose Artemio III, Celine Maria, Maria Theresa, and Maria Evelyn), dedicate this caseroom in remembrance of her wisdom, inner strength of character, enduring love for family, and life-long devotion to our Risen Lord Jesus and to the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.”

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The scholarship mentioned in the first paragraph will carry the appellation “Professor Leni Panganiban Scholarship.” It will be granted to an outstanding AIM student taking iMBA starting in 2025.

IN APPRECIATION OF THE UNIQUE POSTHUMOUS HONORS conferred on my Leni, my children and I gave a modest donation to the AIM Scientific Research Foundation. Relevantly, I proposed to AIM a few years ago the creation of a unique new program leading to the degree of Master of International Business Law (MIBL). My proposal was inspired by an email from my grandson, Jose Miguel Sandejas, who, after finishing with honors his MBA (in entrepreneurship) at Babson College in Boston, enrolled at the Northwestern University in Chicago where he graduated—with honors also—with the degree of Master of Science in Business Law (MSBL), without taking a basic law degree in the Philippines or in the United States.

Mig’s email reads in part: “I discovered that knowledge of the law rounded out my business thinking. Not only does the law tell you what you cannot do, but it tells you how far you can go. In this way, a businessperson can act with confidence and sail forward without fear in the world of finance and taxes. The law helps guide the numbers and provides another solution for optimizing income, reducing expenses, and protecting shareholders. It provides a solid foundation and reason for all actions.”

Dr. Kang gamely accepted my proposal and tasked a faculty team headed by professors Olivier Roche and Felipe Calderon to prepare the curriculum. Doctor Kang and the two Ph.D.s met with me a few times during the two years they took to finalize a curriculum suitable for AIM’s local and international milieu. Enrollment for the first batch of students is open till March 15. I stress that the MIBL, like Northwestern U’s MSBL, is a business degree, not a law degree that will entitle graduates to take the bar exam, much less practice law here. Since the MIBL program promotes the safeguarding of liberty and the nurturing of prosperity under the rule of law, at least two, perhaps three, of the enrollees this year, will be granted fellowships of P450,000 each by the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity in partnership with the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation.

AIM proudly states that “the program will benefit those who do not intend to pursue a legal career but are interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the global business landscape and developing the skills required to excel in international business roles. It goes beyond traditional legal education and delves into various aspects of international business, including finance, leadership, risk management, human resources, data analytics, and information security. This interdisciplinary approach allows individuals from diverse backgrounds to acquire the essential skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the global business environment.”

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