To kick-off this year’s activities focused on competence, our PHINMA National Scholarship (PNS) scholars were given the opportunity to participate in a workshop designed to enhance their communication skills. The workshop, Speak Up, School’s in Session!, was held on February 15, 2025, in the Engineering Theater of UP Diliman. It was attended by 102 PHINMA National Scholars: 15 from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 16 from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, 16 from the Technological University of the Philippines, 46 from the Philippine Normal University, and 9 from PHINMA University of Pangasinan.
The skill-building workshop, which paralleled Stanford University’s Design Thinking Process, gave the attendees a chance to deepen their connection with fellow scholars. One participant shared that the main activity, where scholars were paired up with others, offered her new perspectives on communication. She said, “The partner activity was insightful for me because it helped me realize how different people communicate and express themselves. I learned that it is important to remain calm and composed during conversations to avoid misunderstandings. This made me appreciate the value of clear communication and how it can strengthen interactions.”
Other scholars shared their realizations about the need to develop their abilities to express their thoughts and emotions, as well as to build empathy toward others. Led by Ms. Katz Navarro, Social Involvement and Transformation Lead of PHINMA Education, the workshop gave scholars the opportunity to experience communication outside of their academic spaces and provided a glimpse into various scenarios where effective communication is essential.