University News

DBA student named in Asia’s 40 under 40

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

_{Photo Courtesy: TradeFlock}

Jane Rustial Tiongco-Aguirre, a Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) student of the College of Business Administration (CBA), has been recognized as one of Asia’s 40 Under 40 for 2025 by TradeFlock, a regional platform that features young leaders across Asia who are creating meaningful impact in their respective industries and communities.

TradeFlock’s Asia’s 40 Under 40 recognizes emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate excellence in leadership, innovation, and social or industry impact. Awardees are selected based on professional achievements, leadership influence, and commitment to creating positive change.

Under her leadership as the Country Head of Scholastic Philippines, she has advocated for the advancement of the Philippine education sector by expanding access to educational materials, fostering stronger school communities, and building partnerships with schools, educators, and institutions to develop foundational reading skills and cultivate a culture of learning among children and young people nationwide.

Being named to Asia’s 40 Under 40 reinforces her belief that impactful leadership can be rooted in service. She views the recognition not just as a personal milestone, but as a platform to continue advocating for Philippine education, amplifying the importance of literacy, teacher support, and long-term investment in the country’s learners.

She noted that she pursued the DBA degree to continue teaching, mentoring, and sharing knowledge with her teams, colleagues, and future leaders. She chose PUP for its strong tradition of academic excellence, accessibility, and real-world grounding—qualities that enable her to effectively fulfill her role as Country Head of Scholastic Philippines while advancing her academic growth.

She then added that the expertise of her professors, the diversity of perspectives among her classmates, and the relevance of discussions to Philippine and regional business realities made the program both appealing and enjoyable. This diversity, she said, enriches classroom discussions and broadens her leadership perspective.

CBA Dean and DBA Program Chairperson Dr. Cindy F. Soliman expressed her pride in Tiongco-Aguirre’s accomplishment saying, “This distinguished honor affirms your exemplary leadership, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to excellence, hallmarks of the transformative, ethical leader we strive to cultivate in our Doctor in Business Administration program at our Sintang Paaralan.”

She added “Your achievement reflects not only your outstanding professional brilliance but also your capacity to create meaningful and socially responsible contributions, bringing great honor to our academic community and inspiring fellow scholar leaders to pursue leadership with depth, courage, and purpose.”