Unilab Foundation Launches Program Management Certification Course for Young Social Development Professionals

Mandaluyong City, June 29, 2026— Thirty development practitioners from  Unilab Foundation Inc. (ULF), Center for Integrated Stem Education Inc. (CISTEM), Unilab Education, and Unilab Medical Alliance Group gathered today for the opening of the Program Management Certification Training, the first learning cohort under the Social Development Course of Unilab Foundation (ULF), with its training partner Bayan Academy, an education institution founded by the late Dr. Eduardo A. Morato Jr., of the Asian Institute of Management who is widely recognized for his mentorship and contributions to building institutions that empower grassroots communities.

The three-day program aims to strengthen the skills and competencies of young people who wish to pursue a career in social development.

At the center of this partnership are ladderized certification courses for social development professionals as there are now more career opportunities for young people in the social development sector, whether in civil society organizations, government, corporate foundations, and international organizations. However, there is a need to equip them with various skills and competencies such as program design, measurement of rights-based sustainable programs, grant proposal writing, community organizing, strategic communications, and effective engagement with various social development stakeholders.

The certification courses bring together program managers, NGO leaders, community organizers, and development practitioners representing 4 organizations from Unilab. Through a structured, practice-oriented curriculum, participants will develop practical competencies in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation while applying these concepts to real-world development challenges.

Unlike conventional training programs, the course emphasizes learning by doing. Participants collaborate with peers, refine projects, and strengthen the systems that enable their organizations to deliver measurable and sustainable social impact.

The initiative reflects Unilab Foundation's broader commitment to advancing the professionalization of the social development sector by investing in the continuous growth of the people behind development work.

"Social development is one of the most important professions in nation-building. By investing in the people who dedicate their careers to serving others, we strengthen not only individual leaders but also the institutions and partnerships that create lasting impact for communities. At Unilab Foundation, this is how we live Bayanihan—not simply as an act of coming together, but as a shared commitment to investing in one another so that communities, organizations, and our nation can thrive." — Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave, Executive Director, Unilab Foundation

The Program Management Certification Training is the first in a series of specialized learning programs that ULF, with the help of Bayan Academy, will roll out. Future courses will cover areas such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Financial Management and Proposal Writing, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Strategic Implementation, Resource Mobilization, Research and Data Collection, Community Profiling, and Participatory Approaches.

Upon completion and passing the assessment, participants will receive Certificates of Competency badged by Unilab Foundation and Bayan Academy.