USTP Panaon student-leaders join LeX Program
By Beryl Rose U. Salaguste, SSC President, USTP Panaon
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Two student leaders from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Panaon, Misamis Occidental (USTP Panaon), alongside participants from across the USTP System and Singapore Polytechnic (SP), joined the Learning Express (LeX) program held at USTP Claveria Misamis Oriental, from March 4 – 15, 2024.
Beryl Rose U. Salaguste, a third-year BS Information Technology student, and Cherry Mae D. Martinez, a third-year BS Marine Biology student, who also participated in the Design Thinking (DT) Training held in February 2024 as preparatory for the LeX Program, were the official delegates from USTP Panaon.
![](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Panaon-LeX-2-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Panaon-LeX-3-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Panaon-LeX-7-1024x768.jpg)
LeX, a 12-day program, provided the USTP students with a unique opportunity to develop a design-thinking mindset in the context of social innovation. They engaged in out-of-textbook experiences such as learning a new language and undergoing a community homestay. Interacting and building friendships with the youths from Singapore, they gained a profound understanding of the issues the local communities face.
The program aimed to apply design thinking principles to devise innovative solutions to the municipality’s residents’ challenges. The students representing USTP Panaon played a pivotal role in this endeavor, contributing meaningfully to the program while enhancing their leadership and problem-solving skills through cross-institutional cooperation.
![](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Panaon-LeX-1-1024x768.jpg)
During their participation in the LeX program, the student leaders, Beryl Rose U. Salaguste and Cherry Mae D. Martinez, were immersed in a unique learning journey. They gained insights into problem-solving methodologies tailored to real-world challenges. The workshops taught them to empathize with end-users, define problem statements, ideate potential solutions, and make prototypes. Additionally, they engaged closely with the local community in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, by conducting interviews and observations to understand better the challenges encountered by the farmers. This direct interaction provided them with invaluable perspectives crucial for developing effective solutions.
Their participation in the LeX program was a learning experience and a transformative journey. It yielded positive outcomes for their personal growth, enhancing their leadership and problem-solving skills. Their contributions were instrumental in developing solution prototypes to improve productivity, sustainability, and efficiency within the agricultural sector. The students will implement selected projects, organize resources, and oversee project execution, showcasing their newfound skills and knowledge.