De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) continues to strengthen its collaborations with government agencies in support of innovation and sustainability in design. On May 24, 2024, representatives from Benilde met with the delegation from the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) to discuss a potential partnership for the upcoming Design Talks on Circular Objects and Spaces, scheduled for June 3, 2024.
Representing Benilde in the meeting were Dean Harvey of the School of Environment and Design (SED), Alex Abiar and Noli Araral of the Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi), Hilary from the Center for Partnership and Advancement (CPA), and Sherlo Reyes of the Center for External Linkages (CEL). The DTI team expressed its intent to collaborate with Benilde as a venue partner for the event, exploring possible locations within the campus such as HiFi, the Design + Communication Theater, and Hotel Benilde.
The discussion also included opportunities to involve Benilde students, faculty, and professional networks in the initiative. DTI proposed to allocate a number of participant seats for Benilde students, while also inviting select faculty and industry experts from the college to join the panel discussions. This partnership aims to bridge government-led design advocacy with academic expertise and youthful creativity, fostering a shared commitment to sustainable and circular design practices.
In line with Benilde’s mission to promote inclusive and socially responsible innovation, SED further proposed the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Benilde and DTI. This MOU would establish a foundation for long-term collaboration on design-driven projects that contribute to national development and environmental consciousness.
A Partnership Agreement is set to be drafted should both parties proceed with the collaboration—marking another step forward in Benilde’s continued engagement with institutions that share its vision for meaningful, sustainable, and inclusive design.
