Ateneo de Manila University Hosts Inaugural Overseas Edition of Prestigious Design Thinking | User Experience (DT|UX) Regional Summit

Manila, Philippines, 30 August 2024 – Ateneo de Manila University, in collaboration with Singapore International (SPI) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s User Experience Centre (UXC), proudly hosted the 15th Design Thinking | User Experience (DT|UX) Regional Summit. This marks a historic occasion as the Summit, renowned for its pioneering insights into design thinking and user experience, is held outside of Singapore for the first time, bringing global expertise to Manila, Philippines.

Themed “Sustainable Futures: Designing for Tomorrow Through Humanity-Centric Innovation,” this year’s Summit explored the pivotal role of design thinking and user experience in fostering sustainable and humanity-centred innovation. The event focused on the 4Ps – People, Products, Profit, and the Planet – and aimed to inspire transformative shifts in mindset, behaviour, and actions.

A notable highlight was the presence of Don Norman, the esteemed founder of user experience design and Co-Founder and Principal of the Nielsen Norman Group. This occasion also marked Don Norman's inaugural visit to the Philippines, underscoring the event's significance in the design and innovation community.

Key Summit Highlights:

1. Soft Launch of the Humanity-Centred Design+ (HCD+) Playbook: This strategic guide for humanity-centric innovation was introduced to address challenges in today’s “Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous” (VUCA) environment. A full-scale release is anticipated at a later date to ensure readiness for widespread adoption.

2. Celebration of Singapore-Philippines Partnership: The event showcased collaborative efforts between these nations in design thinking, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering innovation.

3. Highlighting the HCD+I Consortium: Ateneo’s pivotal role in this international consortium aligns with leading institutions to advance global design thinking initiatives.

4. Introduction of the Blueprint Project: A strategic initiative under Ateneo's Lux in Domino Plan, aiming to position Ateneo as the premier design-thinking institution in the Philippines.

The Summit also served as a significant milestone for the Blueprint Project, a transformative initiative under Ateneo’s Lux in Domino Strategic Plan.

The Blueprint Project is an initiative led by the Ateneo with the goal of establishing Ateneo de Manila University as the premier institution for Design Thinking and Innovation in the Philippines. The project seeks to unify and enhance the application of design thinking across various divisions, departments, and centers within the university, fostering a more cohesive and innovative approach. Through the Blueprint Project, Ateneo aims to develop a distinctive "Ateneo flavor" of design thinking, aligning with the university's strategic vision under the Lux in Domino Strategic Plan.

This project is designed to foster education reform and innovation by promoting creative problem-solving and critical thinking. Through the Lux in Domino initiative, Ateneo is committed to advancing integral ecology by supporting solutions that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. Moreover, in line with universal health and well-being, design thinking is being

leveraged to create innovations that enhance quality of life and public health. Finally, the project aims to bridge cultural divides by valuing diverse perspectives and fostering empathy, ultimately leading to more inclusive communities.

Dr Roberto Martin Galang, Dean of the John Gokongwei School of Management of Ateneo de Manila University said, “We are grateful to Singapore Polytechnic for being a constant collaboration partner since 2022 in promoting design thinking and user experience across ASEAN. Ateneo’s hosting of the DT|UX Summit in the Philippines is but the culmination of the multiple workshops, visits, and institutional exchanges over the years to advance humanity-centred design to alleviate the wicked problems of our country and beyond.”

Ms Georgina Phua, Deputy Principal (Development) of Singapore Polytechnic commented, “The collaboration between Singapore Polytechnic and Ateneo de Manila University at the DT|UX Summit 2024 underscores our shared commitment to using design as a powerful driver for regional transformation. By bringing the summit beyond Singapore’s borders, we are not only advancing innovation but also cultivating a community dedicated to developing sustainable, humanity-centred solutions that tackle the complex challenges of our era.”

About Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo), established in 1859, is one of the Philippines' most prestigious educational institutions, rooted in the Jesuit tradition of excellence and service. Located in Quezon City, Ateneo is committed to developing individuals who are academically competent, socially responsible, and spiritually mature.

Guided by its strategic vision, Lux in Domino, Ateneo focuses on four priority areas: Education Reform and Transformation, Integral Ecology, Universal Health and Well-being, and Bridging Cultural Divides. The university is dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainability through various initiatives, including its active participation in global research, its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its dedication to social justice.

Ateneo is also a leader in the field of humanities-centered design and innovation. Through its numerous research centers, the university actively contributes to addressing societal challenges both in the Philippines and globally.

In 2024, Ateneo continues its tradition of excellence with various initiatives aimed at furthering its mission to be a force for good in society. With a vibrant campus life, strong community engagement, and a commitment to academic and moral excellence, Ateneo de Manila University remains a beacon of education and leadership in the Philippines and beyond.

About Singapore Polytechnic and its 70th Anniversary

Established in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) has been a trailblazer in Singapore's educational landscape. Today, it has 10 schools that offer 30 full-time diploma courses and four common entry programmes for more than 12,499 students. The institution champions innovation in lifelong learning, pedagogy, digitalisation, sustainability, and industry engagement.

In 2015, SP incorporated Continuing Education and Training (CET) in its education model. Since then, SP played an integral role in enterprise transformation, workforce upskilling and reskilling for the future economy. In 2022, it partnered with various institutions to introduce a micro-credentials programme leading to a degree from the Singapore Institute of Technology. Embracing new pedagogical innovations, SP pioneered flipped learning in 2015 and is at the forefront of using Analytics in Education.

Committed to sustainability, SP integrates eco-conscious practices into its curriculum and operations. It aims to develop a net-zero sustainability roadmap and collaborate with industries for innovative, sustainable solutions. The curriculum now includes essential sustainability modules, engaging students in at least one sustainability innovation project.

SP is dedicated to making a difference through education. Our humanity-centred programs provide high-quality education for societal projects, aiming to develop leaders who will positively impact the global community. We are proud to announce that the User Experience Centre of SP’s Industry & Partnership is the first in Southeast Asia to receive the Don Norman Design Award’s Recognition for Education in Humanity-centred Design in 2024.SP maintains strong industry ties, exemplified by initiatives like the Food Innovation and Resource Centre (FIRC) and a recent MoU with the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) to deepen industry engagement and talent recruitment.

By ensuring our curriculum is just in time with industry developments, we can offer a solution-driven internship programme to our industry partners. This steers our students to be life-ready, work ready, world-ready, and be of service to industry and society. Our over 235,000 graduates include successful

entrepreneurs, top executives in multi-national and public-listed corporations, industry leaders and professionals across various industries, and leaders in government.

In 2024, SP celebrates its 70th anniversary, uniting stakeholders through various celebratory events and activities. For more information, please visit www.sp.edu.sg/sp70 or connect on social media platforms: Facebook and YouTube @SingaporePolytechnic and Instagram and TikTok at @SingaporePoly.