USTP Balubal showcases innovation and global collaboration in LeX ULEAD 2026
By Rae Lynne D. Yparraguirre, Stratcomm, USTP Balubal
Share:
Ms. Zwayrenelle Dianne P. Baja, a 2nd-year Bachelor of Science in Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLE) student from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Balubal, Misamis Oriental (USTP Balubal) once again demonstrated excellence and global competence through their active participation in the LeX ULEAD 2026 (Learning Express: USTP Learn, Engage, Adapt, and Disrupt) program, from March 20-April 3, 2026. LeX ULEAD is an international intercultural initiative centered on design thinking and community innovation. It’s a program that gathers students from various USTP campuses and Singapore Polytechnic, fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and solution-driven learning.
Participants engaged in immersive workshops and community-based activities aimed at addressing real-world challenges, particularly in digital and agricultural contexts. The program opened with an intensive design thinking workshop, where students were introduced to the S.E.I.P. framework—Sense, Empathize, Ideate, and Prototype. This approach enabled participants to develop innovative, human-centered solutions grounded in empathy and practical insights.
A key component of the program was the community immersion at Gugma sa Kabataan Inc. in Barangay 17, Cagayan de Oro City. Students conducted observations and interviews to better understand the organization’s operations and challenges, particularly in sustaining programs for children despite limited resources in manpower, facilities, and materials.
Through cross-cultural teamwork, participants proposed innovative solutions, including an enhanced website and the “Seeds of Hope” initiative—an income-generating urban gardening concept designed to support the organization’s sustainability while encouraging donor engagement. These proposals were successfully presented to the organization, which expressed interest in further developing the concepts.
The program culminated in a gallery walk at USTP CDO, where student outputs were showcased to the academic community, followed by cultural exchanges and recognition ceremonies. Participants received certificates acknowledging their successful completion of the program and their meaningful contributions to community development.
Through this international engagement, USTP Balubal students strengthened their leadership, collaboration, and intercultural communication skills, reaffirming the university’s commitment to producing globally competitive and socially responsive graduates.
Follow us:
Contact us:
+63(88)857-1738 local 1118
[email protected]
