From insight to impact: Foundever® powers future talent at GAMEx 2026

Strengthening industry–academe partnerships to build tomorrow’s CX leaders 

Innovation and collaboration took center stage at GAMEx 2026: Level Up, held from February 25 to 27 at Ayala Malls Circuit, as students, educators, and industry leaders came together to showcase technology-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges. 

Organized by iACADEMY, the event featured 40 student-led innovation projects designed to support communities and solve pressing issues. These included digital learning applications that enhance numeracy skills and platforms that improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, demonstrating how emerging talent is applying creativity and technical expertise to meaningful causes.

Foundever®, the next-generation service leader reinventing customer experience (CX), participated as a key industry partner, reinforcing its commitment to bridging education and employment through sustained collaboration with academic institutions. 

Representing the company, Willy Lim, Vice President for Marketing, Human Resources, and Talent Acquisition for the Philippines, Malaysia, and China, shared insights during a session on how industry engagement plays a critical role in preparing students for the future of work. 

“More than the products presented, what stood out is the mindset being developed among students. While many organizations focus first on tools, iACADEMY emphasizes building the right mindset, followed by skill set and then tool set. This progression reflects a forward-thinking approach that can be scaled across the country,” Lim said. 

Earlier in the year, Lim had engaged with students while their projects were still in development. At GAMEx, he witnessed these ideas evolve into fully realized prototypes, highlighting the value of continuous mentorship and collaboration between industry and academe. 

Beyond the session, the University and Community Partnership (UCP) team of Foundever actively participated in a high-level fireside discussion alongside representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Polish Embassy. The team also served as evaluators across student innovation booths, providing insights to help refine and elevate the projects. 

Foundever continues to support talent development through initiatives such as internships, work immersion programs, curriculum collaboration, co-teaching opportunities, and training support for educators. These efforts are designed to equip students with practical skills and real-world exposure, enabling a smoother transition from education to employment. 

Events like GAMEx underscore the importance of strong industry–academe partnerships in developing a future-ready workforce. By connecting classroom learning with industry insights, Foundever helps create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of CX professionals. 

As industries continue to evolve, collaboration remains essential in shaping talent that is adaptable, innovative, and equipped to deliver impact from day one.