FEU students turn ideas, experiences into social innovation

Three Far Eastern University students brought the Tamaraw spirit of leadership and innovation to the Humanitarian Design and Social Enterprise (HDSE) Leadership Intensive, where they worked with others from different disciplines to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. 

Ronald Gabriel Teng, BS Biology Student

Among them was Ronald Gabriel Teng, a BS Biology student under the Microbiology Track, whose personal experience became an opportunity to develop a solution that can help others. Working with participants from University of the Philippines Diliman and Bataan Peninsula State University, Teng’s team developed a project that transforms recycled plastic pellets into high-quality filaments for affordable, 3D-printed orthotic devices. 

As a person with disability, Teng drew from his own experience with mobility challenges to help shape the team’s goal of making orthoses more accessible while finding a practical and sustainable use for recycled plastics. The team has since worked with academic units, medical professionals, and other stakeholders to further develop the initiative and extend assistance to a number of individuals

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From Left to Right: Hailey Cardenas, BA International Studies Student and Janelle Nuñez, BS Medical Technology Student

Joining Teng in the HDSE program were Hailey C. Cardenas, a BA International Studies student, and Janelle B. Nuñez, a BS Medical Technology student, who were selected for the program’s 11-member Philippines National Cohort. Through the experience, Cardenas learned the value of turning ideas into concrete solutions and working with people from different backgrounds. Nuñez, the youngest in the cohort, learned that leadership is not defined by age or experience, but by the willingness to listen, learn, collaborate, and act. 

The HDSE Leadership Intensive bootcamp facilitated by Lehigh University in UP Diliman last July 20 to 24, provided students opportunities to work in interdisciplinary teams and transform ideas into actionable social ventures, with promising projects receiving opportunities for seed funding and professional mentorship. 

Through the program, the three Tamaraws strengthened their skills in leadership, collaboration, innovation, and community-centered problem-solving, demonstrating how learning beyond the classroom can contribute to meaningful and practical change.