As artificial intelligence and cybersecurity reshape industries at breakneck speed, the gap between technical know-how and strategic leadership has never been more visible.
Across boardrooms and business schools, one question dominates: Who will lead in a world governed by algorithms, data, and digital threats?
At the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati, that question is being answered through a bold redesign of two of its flagship programs — the Master in AI and Data Analytics (MAIDA) and the Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management (EMCSM).
These programs redefine what it means to be a modern leader — one who can bridge the divide between business strategy, technological fluency, and ethical responsibility.
Preparing Leaders for the AI-Driven Economy
The speed at which artificial intelligence is evolving has outpaced traditional business education. While many executives grasp its importance, few know how to turn AI into actionable, measurable outcomes.
AIM’s Master in AI and Data Analytics (MAIDA) addresses this by equipping professionals to utilize data strategically and drive transformation across their organizations.
“AI and data analytics are the new racecar,” explains Professor Kenneth Co, Academic Program Director of MAIDA. “Having access to AI technologies isn’t enough. Leaders need to know when to accelerate, when to pivot, and how to keep control in complex business environments.”
The MAIDA curriculum trains professionals to master descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics — the full spectrum of modern data-driven decision-making. Courses such as Fundamentals of Programming and Vibe Coding with AI, Business Statistics for Decision-Making, and Data Visualization and Storytelling in Business Intelligence teach participants to interpret data with clarity and impact.
But beyond technical fluency, the program emphasizes ethical governance. Graduates are expected to harness AI responsibly, communicate insights effectively, and lead cross-functional teams through transformation.
“AI and cybersecurity are no longer emerging trends but essential business imperatives,” says Professor Christopher Monterola, Head of AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. “Companies need leaders who can address these challenges now — not in some distant future.”
The Cyber Boardroom: A New Kind of Leadership
If MAIDA is about mastering the power of data, AIM’s Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management (EMCSM) is about protecting it — and turning that protection into strategic value.
Led by Professor Philip Kwa, Academic Program Director and veteran of the global technology and governance space, the program was designed to fill a growing leadership void: the lack of executives who understand cybersecurity beyond the IT department.
“Cybersecurity is a boardroom issue,” Prof. Kwa stresses. “Executives need to understand governance, risk, and resilience to safeguard business continuity, customer trust, and competitiveness. The demand for cybersecurity leaders continues to accelerate as organizations face increasingly complex digital threats.”
When Kwa and his team developed the original cybersecurity program three years ago, their goal was clear: create something distinct from the purely technical courses already being offered elsewhere.
“We recognized the shortage of cybersecurity skills, but we wanted to curate a program that focuses equally on governance and compliance,” Kwa recalls during our interview. “Those involved in risk management must also understand the technology enablers that shape it.”
Designed for Working Professionals
The EMCSM is an 18-month part-time master’s program that starts every September. Classes are held on Friday evenings and Saturdays, ensuring minimal disruption for professionals balancing work and study.
The format is hybrid, combining remote flexibility with on-site sessions at AIM’s Makati campus. The setup allows students to engage with faculty and peers across industries — from law enforcement and defense to banking, law, and entrepreneurship.
“We encourage students to come on-site to network,” Kwa says. “That exchange of perspectives is vital because cybersecurity impacts everyone — from policymakers to business owners.”
Now on its fourth batch, the program students represent a diverse mix of professionals united by a single realization: understanding cyber risk is no longer optional.
Kwa believes this diversity is one of the program’s strengths. “It’s important for lawyers to understand cyber, and even more important for law enforcement,” he says.
“We have participants from the PNP, the defense industry, and private business — each contributes to a richer, more grounded understanding of the challenges ahead.”
From Policy to Practice
Unlike short certification courses, the EMCSM’s curriculum emphasizes strategic leadership and ethical decision-making. Core subjects include Strategy and IT Security Governance, Cybersecurity Policy, Ethics, and Law, and Security Management and Digital Forensics.
“We teach leadership, management, and ethics — and yes, we cover emerging technologies like AI,” Kwa explains. “Our goal is to produce executives who can see the full picture: governance, compliance, technology, and people.”
AIM is also the only academic partner of ISC² in the Philippines — the global organization behind the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) credential. This partnership allows AIM to offer CISSP-aligned lessons within the degree program, giving students a rare opportunity to earn both academic and industry recognition simultaneously.
“Certifications like CISSP are valuable,” Kwa says, “but a master’s degree provides a more comprehensive foundation. Our students get both — technical expertise and the leadership mindset to apply it.”
Redefining Business Education in Asia
Through MAIDA and EMCSM, AIM reinforces its identity as a pioneer at the intersection of business and technology. These programs are built on the conviction that data, innovation, and cybersecurity are not separate from business — they define it.
“The market isn’t waiting for leaders to catch up,” says Professor Jose Gerardo Santamaria, Head of the Washington SyCip Graduate School of Business at AIM. “Organizations need decision-makers who can lead initiatives, evaluate cybersecurity postures, and make sound technology investments today. That’s who these programs develop.”
The initiative also reflects AIM’s long-standing mission to prepare professionals to thrive in uncertain, rapidly changing environments. Founded in 1968 in collaboration with the Harvard Business School Advisory Group, AIM was the first school in Southeast Asia accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) — the gold standard in global business education.
It currently ranks 6th in Asia in the Financial Times Executive Education Rankings 2024 and 7th in Asia Pacific for its Online MBA according to QS 2025 World University Rankings.
Leadership That Keeps Pace With Technology
The redesign of AIM’s master’s programs underscores a larger truth: business leadership is being rewritten for the digital age. Whether managing AI ethics or mitigating ransomware threats, tomorrow’s executives will be judged by how well they navigate both opportunity and risk.
That’s why AIM’s programs are not producing data scientists or coders, but decision-makers — professionals who can translate complex technical realities into boardroom action.
“As organizations face talent shortages and the realities of operating in an AI-augmented world,” Kwa concludes, “we’re preparing leaders who have the skills and insight to not only keep pace with a digitally driven world, but to lead it.”
With every company becoming a tech company, AIM’s approach feels timely, and necessary as the next generation of leaders don’t just need to understand AI and cybersecurity. They’ll need to speak their language.
