USTP commences PYLP follow-on summit

By Jomerl I. Gomez, USTP System STRATCOMM
Share:

On October 21, 2022, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) kicked off Dungan Ngadto 3, a follow-on summit for the Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP), at the Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras (DRER) Memorial Hall of USTP Cagayan de Oro.

PYLP Attendees

Attendees (mostly senior high school students) during the Dungan Ngadto 3 opening ceremony take a photo opportunity with PYLP Batch 9 Youth Leaders and PYLP and USTP officials. Photo by Vicmar M. Suazo, PME, USTP CDO.

The PYLP is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the U.S. Department of State youth exchange programs that empower young people and establish long-lasting ties between the United States and the Philippines in partnership with the Northern Illinois University (NIU) and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP). It aims to immerse and train student leaders from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other regions in Mindanao in leadership and community development. For around one month, successful applicants to the program will undergo various training sessions at NIU and get a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore Washington, D.C.

Dungan Ngadto 3 Art

This year’s Dungan Ngadto 3 will be a three-day summit and will highlight the PYLP’s project implementation and the leadership journey of its student leader participants. It will run until October 23, 2022, and culminate at Dahilayan in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

PYLP Batch 19 Youth Leaders proudly showcase their projects and advocacies

PYLP Batch 19 Youth Leaders proudly showcase their projects and advocacies to address various issues and challenges in their respective hometowns in Mindanao. Photo by Vicmar M. Suazo, PME, USTP CDO.

The summit commenced with an opening ceremony, highlighting the PYLP Batch 19 Youth Leaders’ experiences under the program. They also showcased the projects and advocacies that each youth leader will champion upon returning to their respective hometowns in Mindanao.

View PYLP Batch 19’s programs and advocacies below:

In attendance was Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II, USTP System President, who welcomed to the University the PYLP Program Director, Prof. Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail, and Ms. Janet Vallejo, PYLP Project Staff.

Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II, USTP System President
Prof. Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail, PYLP Program Director
Dungan Ngadto 3 opening ceremony

Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II, USTP System President, and Prof. Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail, PYLP Program Director, give messages during the Dungan Ngadto 3 opening ceremony. Photos by Vicmar M. Suazo, PME, USTP CDO.

In his speech, Dr. Cultura shared how the youth will become our future leaders, who will be “responsible for how we can move forward as one country.” He also talked about technopreneurship, an educational niche that the university is establishing with its partners and stakeholders, and emphasized the importance of “preparing and training” future leaders while they are young.

Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II, USTP System President, awards plaques of recognition

Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II, USTP System President, awards plaques of recognition to Ms. Jana Jean Dacobor, President of ACCESS PYLP Alumni Association; Ms. Janet Vallejo, PYLP Project Staff; and Prof. Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail, PYLP Program Director.

The USTP System President also conveyed his gratitude to the U.S. Embassy, NIU, and the PYLP “for affording our youth a chance to build their skills, foster relationships among youth from diverse backgrounds, and allowing them to actively engage in addressing the emerging challenges in our communities.”

The Sanghimig Chorale
Gintong Amihan Dance Troupe

The Sanghimig Chorale and the Gintong Amihan Dance Troupe of USTP Cagayan de Oro showcase Mindanao culture during the Dungan Ngadto 3 opening ceremony. Photos by Vicmar M. Suazo, PME, USTP CDO.

During the opening ceremony, the attendees were also graced with breathtaking performances from the Sanghimig Chorale and the Gintong Amihan Dance Troupe of USTP Cagayan de Oro as they showcased through their talents and skills the unique cultures of Mindanao.

The PYLP initiative is part of the University’s internationalization efforts in expanding scholarly ties and promoting closer academic collaboration with other higher educational institutions here and abroad. Dr. Maria Angeles D. Hinosolango, PYLP Project Leader, is the event’s organizer.

Are you interested in becoming a part of the PYLP Batch 20? Watch the video below to learn how:

Play Video about PYLP Batch 20 Artcard

One Response

Comments are closed.