IRODORI Inc. Partners with Educational Institutions in Iloilo City, Philippines; Expands 'Wagamama Lab' Social Entrepreneurship Program to Asia

IRODORI Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takahiro Yatsu) has concluded a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Iloilo City Community College (ICCC) and West Visayas State University (WVSU) Lambunao Campus for the promotion of the social entrepreneurship program 'Wagamama Lab' through app development. This agreement brings the practical educational model developed in Japan to the Philippines, promoting digital literacy, problem-solving skills, and active social participation among local youth.

### Aim of the Japan-Philippines Collaborative Project IRODORI has been deploying 'Wagamama Lab,' where students develop smartphone apps for their local communities based on their own or others' 'hidden wishes' (Wagamama). The concept for this collaboration was born following a presentation at the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) conference in April 2025 and subsequent dialogue with Philippine educators.

This initiative aims to increase self-efficacy among youth in regions like Iloilo City by having them develop practical apps. It is also designed to align with population policies by fostering advanced digital skills essential for regional development and encouraging young talent to contribute locally. Furthermore, the project is promoted under the official support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region VI, having been recognized as meeting the criteria for building international agreements.

### Pilot Program 'Iloilo Wagamama Innovators' with 30 Participants Prior to the MOA, a pilot program was conducted from September to October 2025. Thirty selected students from ICCC and WVSU developed prototypes using MIT App Inventor:

* **DishCover:** An AI-powered visual assistance app that recognizes and voices out dish names and nutritional info for the visually impaired. * **Apol Med Routine:** A reminder app to reduce the burden of managing medication for elderly family members. * **IP Care:** An app that connects the traditional wisdom of Panay's indigenous people with scientific research via a web viewer.

### Hybrid Practical Education Structure This initiative was implemented through a hybrid online/offline system involving:

* **IRODORI Inc.:** Provides methodology, curriculum, and mentoring for app development. * **ICCC & WVSU Lambunao Campus:** Lead local implementation, including student selection and providing computer labs.

IRODORI Inc. continues its vision of creating towns where everyone can leverage their unique colors to innovate for local and global value.