Manila, Philippines – In a collaborative effort between the University of the Philippines Diliman – School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR) and the Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness (CIPC), graduate students from the IR225 class showcased their expertise in a groundbreaking webinar. Led by Prof. Virgel C. Binghay, Ph.D., the event titled “Design Thinking 101 in the Context of HR: Free Webinar for SMEs and HR Professional” targeted Human Resource (HR) professionals and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) entrepreneurs, providing insights into the transformative world of design thinking. The webinar was held on December 10, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering a full day of engaging content via Zoom teleconference.

Before the virtual learning session, organizers conducted a comprehensive Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to tailor the program to the specific needs of the audience. The analysis revealed three primary challenges faced by participants: digital transformation, skills development and upskilling, and process improvement and efficiency.
With a turnout of 160 participants, including HR professionals (46%), MSME owners (9%), and students (14%), the event attracted a diverse audience spanning various industries such as retail, government, BPO, IT, academe, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The two-part webinar, consisting of nine segments, featured experts in human resources and organizational development. Morning sessions, expertly moderated by Grace Ricafort, Jenelyn Mendoza, and Marjorie Guarino, covered fundamental concepts, including the Design Thinking framework presented by industry specialists.
In the afternoon, the program delved deeper into the Ideate, Prototype, Test, and Application stages. An interactive Q&A session and post-test followed each segment, allowing participants to engage with and apply their newfound knowledge.
The event’s success was evident in the post-test results, showcasing a 37.4% improvement in participant understanding from pre-test scores. The participants lauded the program, with a 94% overall satisfaction rate, and an overwhelming 99% expressed their intent to recommend the webinar to colleagues. These are the few verbatim comments from the participants:
What is one major insight you have gained from the session?
“I gained a systematic approach to Human Resource Management.” – Mel John
What did you like best about the session?
“The speakers are very accommodating to questions and they also give real-life examples” – Jacqueline
What can we improve with the session or program?
“It is very good already.” – Roy
Concluding the program, Mr. Arman Mangilinan conveyed a message of gratitude for representing CIPC, and Dr. Binghay delivered an insightful closing remark, commending the graduate students as speakers, and organizers for their dedication and teamwork.
The participants were able to receive their certificate of completion reflecting the success of this initiative, promising a ripple effect of innovation in HR and businesses.