3 iKalinga students get the limelight at ASEAN Innovators Challenge and Young Speaker Contest in Malaysia

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Three university students in Kalinga recently took their talents to the international stage where they bagged awards for the province and the country in the ASEAN Student Mobility Programme held in Malaysia.

Designed to ‘foster innovation, leadership, and collaboration’, the event which gathered thousands of students and industry leaders across ASEAN countries was held from February 19 – 25 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This gathering of bright minds aimed to address regional challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals through the lined-up activities like the ASEAN Young Speaker Contest, ASEAN Future Innovators Challenge, Exhibition and Forum, and the Familiarization visit.

Among the universities who participated in the event is the Kalinga State University who flew three students to Malaysia. They were accompanied by KSU President, Dr. Joy Grace Doctor herself.

In the week-long event, the three KSU students made an impact with their outstanding performances recognized. The awards bagged by the three include the first place in the ASEAN Future Innovators Challenge. This was won by Dan Dale Basiag Pacas. The group also won third place team award. The Best Creativity Award for Asian Future Innovators Challenge was won by Fortlamy Apil Talledo. Meantime, Ronald Agbayani was semi-finalist in the Young Speaker Contest.

These three young people were coached by Ethel Garcia-Wacas, KSU Designated Coordinator for Transactional Education and International Linkages.

Wacas conveyed they could not be prouder of the three students, saying, “we are very proud of our students not only in participating internationally but also for bringing home different recognitions. They have shown their determination. We encourage more students to participate also in any international engagements and we hope to have more student exchange activities in the future.”