Ateneo de Manila University, in partnership 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 landmark event, celebrated for its groundbreaking insights into design thinking and user experience, was held outside of Singapore for the first time, bringing international expertise to Manila, Philippines.
Under the theme “Sustainable Futures: Designing for Tomorrow Through Humanity-Centric Innovation,” this year’s Summit delved into the crucial role of design thinking and user experience in advancing sustainable and human-centered innovation. The event emphasized the 4Ps—People, Products, Profit, and Planet—and sought to inspire transformative changes in mindset, behavior, and actions.
A key highlight of the event was the appearance of Don Norman, the renowned pioneer of user experience design and Co-Founder and Principal of the Nielsen Norman Group. This visit marked Don Norman’s first trip to the Philippines, adding considerable importance to the event within the design and innovation community. Additionally, the Summit represented a major milestone for the Blueprint Project, a groundbreaking 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.
The Blueprint Project aims to drive education reform and innovation by encouraging creative problem-solving and critical thinking. Through the Lux in Domino initiative, Ateneo is dedicated to advancing integral ecology by championing solutions that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. Additionally, design thinking is being utilized to develop innovations that improve quality of life and public health, in line with global health and well-being goals. The project also seeks to bridge cultural divides by appreciating diverse perspectives and promoting empathy, ultimately fostering 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-centered 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”.
