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UP Diliman Department of Home Economics Education recently signed a partnership agreement with Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University to accelerate the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative. 

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES, OCTOBER 7, 2026. UP Diliman Department of Home Economics Education (DHEEd) has partnered with Thunderbird School of Global Management (Thunderbird) at Arizona State University (ASU) to launch the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative across the University of the Philippines Diliman. The Global Initiative is powered by Thunderbird School of Global Management, prominent for its distinguished faculty and reputation as the premier leader in global leadership and management education (No. 1 in the world in international trade as ranked by QS International Trade Rankings 2023-2026), and Arizona State University, ranked No. 1 for innovation in the United States for 11 consecutive years (U.S. News & World Report).

The Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative offers online, global education in up to 40 languages at no cost to learners, thanks to the philanthropic support underpinning the initiative.

“We are deeply grateful to the UP Diliman Department of Home Economics Education for championing this initiative and their commitment to ensuring quality education is accessible to all,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Through this partnership, the UP Diliman Department of Home Economics Education is seizing a unique opportunity to help make a transformative impact on people’s lives for generations to come, starting with reaching learners in their own communities. Together, we can bridge educational gaps, foster innovation, and create a brighter future for learners everywhere.”

Thunderbird will offer five online educational programs at the University of the Philippines Diliman for personal and professional development, with a special focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. 

As part of this partnership, the University of the Philippines Diliman will initially offer the Entrepreneurship & Business Essentials Bootcamp at no cost to participants. This short, skills-focused program provides foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship and business and serves as an entry point to Thunderbird's learning pathway. Learners who wish to continue their professional development may independently enroll in the other available programs offered through Thunderbird, based on their interests and learning goals. Below are the five online educational programs. 

1. Entrepreneurship & Business Essentials Bootcamp (Free under the partnership): A short, skills-focused, foundational learning experience designed to introduce learners to core entrepreneurship and business concepts.
   
   

2. Global Entrepreneurship & Innovation Foundations: A comprehensive, multi-module foundational program that builds durable entrepreneurship and innovation skills across core competencies.
   
   

3. Artificial Intelligence for Global Entrepreneurs and Professionals Mini-Course: Introduces learners to key AI concepts and their real-world applications in entrepreneurial, business, and personal contexts.
   
   

4. Intermediate Program: Five structured courses that deepen foundational entrepreneurship and leadership skills while introducing learners to academic-grade coursework.
   
   

5. Advanced Program: Five graduate-level courses aimed at those seeking leadership, management, and strategic capabilities and/or wishing to earn academic credit toward a master's degree.
   
   

The initiative and its offerings have been tailored to provide maximum flexibility, empowering entrepreneurial leaders and innovators with guidance on starting global businesses and nonprofit organizations, and with proven 21st-century strategies for creating value through innovation in existing businesses across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors.

Dr. Consuelo Chua, the Associate Dean of the College of Home Economics and a Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Home Economics Education, highlights the importance of this agreement for the Philippines. “Offering the 100 ML programs is a strategic way to achieve one of the goals of our institution, which is to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life of Filipinos through community and industry extension programs and volunteer services.”

Visit 100millionlearners.org to learn more and register.

For more information, please contact:

Name: Prof. Consuelo T. Chua

Phone: +63 2 89818500 local 3409

Email: ctchua@up.edu.ph

About Thunderbird School of Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University cultivates visionary leaders who harness innovation and a global digital mindset to shape the organizations of the future. Committed to transforming leadership and management education, Thunderbird empowers professionals to drive sustainable prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world. As the premier institution for global leadership and management education, Thunderbird is more than just a school—it is a dynamic global network of leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs spanning both the private and public sectors.

For four consecutive years (2023–2026), Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has been ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade by the QS International Trade Rankings—ranking ahead of Cambridge, Oxford, and Columbia. To learn more, visit thunderbird.asu.edu.

About UP Diliman Department of Home Economics Education

UP Diliman Department of Home Economics Education (DHEEd) is the oldest department in the College of Home Economics (CHE). Established in 1922 under the College of Education, it is the forerunner of the present DHEEd, which was organized in 1961 when CHE was created. 

Grounded in the belief that families are central to a thriving society, DHEEd brings together education, research, and public service to address the realities of everyday life. The department empowers Filipino families and consumers with the knowledge and skills to make thoughtful decisions, manage resources, and respond to a changing world.

During the first three years of the partnership, the DHEEd, as the implementing unit of UP Diliman, will implement the 100ML program in two ways: by offering the Global Entrepreneurship and Business Essentials Bootcamp as an extension program for family and community members during midterm breaks, with 10–20 participants per cohort, and by incorporating the Bootcamp program into HEEd 134 (Practicum I: Entrepreneurship Education) to prepare students for their business practicum at the start of the second semester.