Ms. Mariela Lessandra S. Deslate, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Food Technology (BSFT) student from the School of Technology (SOTECH), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), successfully completed the NUS Enterprise Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) from July 6 to 17, 2026.
Ms. Deslate earned her place in the prestigious programme through the NUS ASEAN SPARK Fellowship, receiving a full program fee scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to innovation.
The two-week program brought together outstanding university students from across Asia to develop entrepreneurial competencies through lectures, workshops, industry immersions, leadership activities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants attended sessions led by renowned professors, startup founders, and industry experts covering entrepreneurship, innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, leadership, business model development, and venture creation.
As the Food Technology representative in her multidisciplinary startup team, Deslate worked alongside students specializing in economics, accounting, finance, and business with AI. She led the chemistry aspect of their venture and served as one of the team’s final presenters. Their team developed 2nDrop (Second Drop), a startup concept addressing the environmental challenge of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) disposal in Indonesia. The proposed business introduces a sustainable collection and chemical purification system that upcycles UCO for resale to oil refineries and industrial users, with future plans to manufacture value-added products such as soaps and candles. Among approximately 40 competing teams, 2nDrop received the Best Problem Statement Award, recognizing the team’s innovative and impactful solution.
Beyond the entrepreneurship challenge, Deslate became part of a multicultural group of students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The program fostered lasting friendships while promoting intercultural collaboration and leadership among participants from across Southeast Asia.
A highlight of the program was the opportunity to engage with Prof. Mohan Kankanhalli, Director of the NUS AI Institute, where discussions explored artificial intelligence, responsible innovation, environmental sustainability, and the implications of emerging technologies for the food industry. She also had the chance to converse with Prof. Lawrence Loh, a professor in practice at the NUS Business School and Director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability, on food sustainability and how politics affect our food industries. He has written papers on these topics and is currently working on another one.
Participants also took part in experiential learning activities that reinforced teamwork and social responsibility. Deslate’s team placed Third in the Dragon Boat Challenge, while a community engagement activity at Dignity Kitchen introduced participants to social entrepreneurship by serving meals to beneficiaries and learning basic sign language.
Industry visits to Alibaba and Changi Airport Group provided insights into digital innovation, AI applications, business operations, and organizational excellence. Cultural immersion activities, including batik painting, the Indonesian Maumere dance, and introductory Thai language lessons, further enriched the international learning experience.
Reflecting on the program, Deslate shared that the experience strengthened her entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrated how scientific knowledge, sustainability, and multidisciplinary collaboration can be translated into innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
According to her, “The NUS Summer Program was a very transformative experience that taught me lessons beyond entrepreneurship and business models. It taught me values that allowed me to grow and know myself better. My experience allowed me to see things in different lenses and made me realize that there is so much more in the world that I am yet to explore. Singapore taught me to dream bigger and to make those dreams happen.”
Her successful participation reflects the University of the Philippines Visayas’ commitment to developing globally competitive Food Technology students equipped with scientific expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and leadership skills to contribute to sustainable food systems and innovation. This opportunity also allows for a meaningful collaboration with universities both locally and globally.
Written by Assoc. Prof. Jihan Santanina S. Alumbro, School of Technology
Photos from Mariela Lessandra S. Deslate
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