Xavier University and Pryce Corporation Inc inaugurated the Xavier University – Pryce Center for Entrepreneurship on July 29 during the celebration of the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola.

This student-run shopping and business center is under the University’s Student Entrepreneurship Program (SEP), designed to train students to become successful entrepreneurs. At the ground floor are shopping stalls operated by students taking up entrepreneurship courses while the second floor houses the training and incubation center, a conference room and the SEP office.

“There is a real need for the economy of Cagayan de Oro, the region and the country to have entrepreneurs,” Fr Roberto Yap, XU president, said. “It’s not enough that we produce good employees. We have to train our students to be entrepreneurs and serve the community.”

He thanked Pryce Corporation Inc headed by its Chief Executive Officer Salvador Escaño for this wonderful gift to Xavier. Further, Fr Yap encouraged the students to use the business techniques they are learning to serve the poor by contributing to jobs and livelihoods generation.

“St Ignatius challenges us to find God in all these worldly things and serve Him,” he said.

In the same light, Escaño inspired the student-entrepreneurs to dream big, telling them that it’s normal to face difficulties.

“I believe you cannot learn until you fail,” Escaño said. He explained that there is no shame in failing. What is important is that you come out a better person from all your experiences.

The mall is open to the public daily except Sundays from 8 am until 5:30 pm. XU souvenir items, apparels, agri products and computer services are among the items offered by the mall. Food kiosks, meanwhile, can be found at the SEP Food Court situated between the Engineering and CIT buildings.

Fr Yap described the Xavier University – Pryce Center for Entrepreneurship as a gateway to XU’s service to the community. The mall entrance is now the main access gate to the university both for students and guests.