Ateneo BRC welcomes Singapore Polytechnic International students in day one of LeX

On 18 March 2024, the Ateneo Business Resource Center (BRC), in partnership with Singapore Polytechnic International (SPI), welcomed students from SPI as part of the opening ceremony for the Learning Express (LeX) program.

The program sees students from both Ateneo and SPI engaging with local communities, challenging them to develop implementable solutions using design thinking principles. By doing so, LeX aims to increase the employability of the students by giving them real-life community involvement experiences that can be translated into portfolio-building projects.

During the ceremony, administrators and facilitators from Ateneo de Manila University, Singapore Polytechnic International, and Gawad Kalinga welcomed the students and gave them a taste of what they could expect from the program.

In his opening remarks, Ateneo BRC Director Dr Aran Samson noted that Ateneo's mission of forming men and women for others resonates with SPI's concepts of Design Thinking and human-centered innovation, which led to the partnership.

Dr Samson also acknowledged that the LeX was delayed by the restrictions brought about by the global Covid-19 pandemic, before finally pushing through this year.

Mr Dale Lugue, one of the founding members of Gawad Kalinga and current the head of Gawad Kalinga Caloocan, introduced the organization. In addition to explaining the Gawad Kalinga name, he also gave concrete examples of how the program had been able to help impoverished communities around the country.

SPI's Dr Mila Lim discussed how the LeX program seeks to connect like-minded institutions, such as Ateneo and SPI, while also providing social innovation to communities and organizations like Gawad Kalinga, using the Design Thinking pedagogy. She also pointed out how LeX responds to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals – the UN's call to action to end poverty, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth, while combating climate change and preserving our natural resources.

Dr Noel Kristian, SPI's LeX Program Coordinator for the Philippines and LeX Master Facilitator, discussed the history of SPI and the reach of the LeX program, inviting their counterparts from Ateneo to attend the LeX conference later this year.

In addition, Dr Kristian also presented Dr Samson and the BRC with a copy of SPI's 70th anniversary commemorative book, For All Ages, as well as samples of a commemorative perfume made by SPI's perfumery & cosmetic science program.

Finally, Mr Mark Gomez, Area Team Leader - Metro Manila and Calabarzon for Gawad Kalinga, shared his own story of his experiences with poverty, giving the Ateneo and SPI students further context on its effects on the welfare of those affected by it.

Also present at the ceremony was Atty Sabrina Kate D Paner-Montiel, JGSOM Service Learning coordinator, who played a pivotal role in spearheading the LeX program, ensuring its successful implementation. While Atty Paner-Montiel didn't speak during the opening, her dedication and leadership were instrumental in bringing together the collaborative efforts of Ateneo, SPI, and Gawad Kalinga. Atty Paner-Montiel's vision and commitment to service learning have been vital in creating opportunities for students to engage with local communities, fostering a culture of social responsibility and innovation. Her expertise and guidance have undoubtedly enriched the LeX experience, empowering students to make meaningful contributions to society while honing their skills and knowledge.

After the opening remarks concluded, the students were then given a number of icebreaking activities, including a human bingo game. Later, the students also went on a building easter egg hunt where teams of Ateneo and SPI students were challenged to take selfies at select Ateneo buildings, with the Ateneo students also serving as tour guides.

The rest of the day was focused on orientation sessions and workshops to help the students get ready for their immersion trips to Payatas and the PWD community in Escopa that make up the heart of the program. These included a Tagalog language session for the Singaporean students, a Design Thinking workshop, an area orientation session, and more.