RC Makati’s AI Academy – Full Preparation Ahead!

As RC Makati marks its 60th year, one of its most forward-looking initiatives is set to launch this September: the RC Makati AI Academy (RCMAIA)—a transformative program aimed at empowering underprivileged senior high school students and out-of-school youth through hands-on training in artificial intelligence and data science.

The Academy offers a four-and-a-half month intensive training program built on three pillars: Education, Empowerment, and Employment. It combines technical instruction with real-world applications, preparing students to develop AI-driven solutions and pursue meaningful careers in the digital economy.

On July 18, the RCMAIA committee—led by President Eddie Galvez, Dir. Roger Collantes, Dir. Patrick Parungao, PP Bing Matoto, Rodrigo Segura, and PP Charlie Rufino—visited the Sisters of Mary School in Silang, Cavite. The team spent the day interviewing 50 students as candidates for the program’s pilot run.

The visit also included the formal signing of a partnership agreement with Kadakareer, the Academy’s key collaborator and implementation partner. Kadakareer will oversee the delivery of training modules and provide ongoing student support throughout the learning process.

A second round of interviews took place on August 1, with 30 additional students. Joining Pres. Eddie and Dir. Roger were PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza and Sec/Dir. Philip Soliven for this screening session.

Preparations for the learning space also progressed on July 25, when the committee met with Architect Don Lino to finalize the layout and interior design of the facility located on the 2nd floor of the Paing Hechanova Creativity Center, the Academy’s official training hub.

Support Building Momentum

Community support has been quick to follow. Through PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza, the Far Eastern University Alumni Association donated eight computers. Dir. Andy Manalac contributed to the purchase of ten more units, while Winston Uy, Johnson Tan, and Ai-Ai Galvez have pledged donations to further support the Academy’s initial rollout.

The program will officially launch this September, welcoming 70 students from the Sisters of Mary School and RC Makati’s Rotaractors, in collaboration with Kadakareer. A second batch of 70 students is scheduled for training within the Rotary year, expanding the program’s reach and long-term impact.

After completing their classroom training, students will move on to on-the-job experience, applying their new skills in actual workplace settings. RC Makati is inviting companies from its membership and partner network to host students for OJT placements and potential future employment.

The Team Behind the Vision

The RCMAIA is guided by a dedicated team of Rotarians: Dir. Roger Collantes, Dir. Patrick Parungao, Dir. Paolo Turno, PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza, Dir. Philip Soliven, Bom Villatuya, Rodrigo Segura, PP Bing Matoto, and Pres. Eddie Galvez.

A Legacy of Innovation and Inclusion

More than just a training program, the RC Makati AI Academy represents a powerful commitment to innovation, opportunity, and inclusive growth. As we near the launch, excitement continues to build for what promises to be a milestone in RC Makati’s mission of service and transformation.