Date: July 28, 2026
The University of the Philippines Cebu School of Management proudly celebrates the successful participation of BS Management students Shyna Grace V. Guira and Ryaih Mae B. Saladaga in the NUS Enterprise Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship 2026, held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) from July 6 to 17, 2026.
Organized by NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore, the programme advances innovation and entrepreneurship through experiential entrepreneurial education, industry partnership, and global connections. As recipient of the NUS ASEAN SPARK Fellowship, which is a competitive scholarship awarded to high-potential ASEAN students with a passion for entrepreneurship – Shyna and Ryaih joined approximately 200 aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators from 20 countries and 55 universities in an intensive two-week programme.
The programme featured lectures, workshops, and mentoring sessions led by distinguished professors, startup founders, venture capitalists, and executives from leading organizations, including Grab, Alibaba, Cloud, ShopBack, NUS Enterprise, and Vertex Ventures. Participants explored entrepreneurship, venture, creation, innovation, leadership, and business model development while collaborating with peers from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
Complementing the classroom sessions were immersion visits to Singapore’s leading organizations. Both students visited Grab to gain insights into digital innovation and technology-driven business operations. Shyna also participated in a learning visit to Changi Airport, while Ryaih visited Huawei, where they explored how globally recognized organizations cultivate innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence.
The programme concluded with the Final Demo Day Pitch Competition, where multidisciplinary teams presented innovative business ideas before a panel of founders, investors, and industry experts.
Innovation Rooted in Understanding People
Reflecting on the experience, Shyna Grace V. Guira shared that what made the programme truly different was not merely the opportunity to learn from successful founders and entrepreneurs but seeing how innovation begins with understanding people and responding to their needs.
“What made the NUS Enterprise Summer Programme different from me wasn’t just the opportunity to learn from founders and entrepreneurs – it was seeing how innovation is deeply rooted in understanding people’s needs.“
Among the experiences that resonated most with her was the visit to Project Dignity, one of Singapore’s pioneering social enterprises. Witnessing how the organization creates meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and other marginalized sectors reinforced her belief that businesses can be financially sustainable while creating lasting social impact. Despite hearing diverse startup journeys throughout the programme, one lesson remained constant: entrepreneurs must first understand and validate the needs of the people they seek to serve before developing solutions.
For Ryaih Mae B. Saladaga, the programme transformed her understanding of innovation by demonstrating that entrepreneurship begins not with an idea but with a genuine understanding of a problem.
“One of my biggest takeaways was that successful entrepreneurship does not begin with an idea – it begins with understanding a real problem.”
She shared that learning alongside participants from around the world broadened her perspective on how empathy, curiosity, and evidence-based decision-making lead to meaningful innovation. Collaborating with peers from diverse cultures also showed her that different perspectives challenge assumptions, strengthen ideas, and inspire more inclusive solutions. More importantly, the experience affirmed her belief that entrepreneurship is not simply about building businesses or generating profit but about creating value and improving the lives of others.
The programme reinforced that entrepreneurship is not merely about innovation for economic gain but about using creativity, empathy, and evidence to address real societal needs. As Iskolar ng Bayan, this experience challenged us to bring these lessons home and apply them in creating meaningful change for Filipino communities.
Their participation reflects the UP Cebu School of Management’s continuing commitment to developing globally competitive graduates equipped with entrepreneurial mindsets, innovative thinking, and the capacity to create meaningful and lasting impact in society.
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