Design, Nation, and Action! (DNA) International Summer Course Program 2026

The University of the Philippines College of Architecture (UPCA) participated in the Design, Nation, and Action! (DNA) International Summer Course Program 2026, a two-week hybrid international program hosted by the Faculty of Architecture and Design (FAD), Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur (UPNVJT) in Surabaya, Indonesia. Conducted through online sessions from July 6–8, 2026 and onsite activities from July 13–18, 2026, the program brought together students, faculty, designers, and experts from various universities across Asia and other international participants to explore the intersections of culture, design innovation, heritage, and ecological sustainability.

In support of the internationalization strategy of the study program, this program aims to enrich students’ learning experiences and expand cross-border academic networks. Specifically, the objectives of this program are to:

• Enhance international students’ understanding of Indonesian tropical culture and architecture;
• Broaden academic collaboration networks among institutions in Southeast Asia;
• Create contextual and interdisciplinary learning experiences;
• Encourage the development of collaborative products between Indonesian and international students; and
• Establish a financially independent international education unit through revenue generating unit (RGU)-oriented activities.
  

As an official collaborator of the program, UPCA was represented by a delegation composed of five students and two faculty member. The delegates included Vivienne Alexi S. Ibañez, Khyla Godwin D. Mangalino, Princess Angel F. Targa, Neian Nicole B. Agravante, Neil Carlo E. Madriñal, and Asst. Prof. Diomari G. Centeno. A lecture was also delivered by UPCA’s Prof. Nappy L. Navara, D.Eng. during the online lecture series of the program. In total, 23 international participants from distinct universities and nationalities gathered to attend the program, bringing together diverse student groups from various nations, including Thailand, China, Indonesia, Yemen, Gambia, and Afghanistan, alongside the delegation representing the Philippines. These student participants are enrolled in diverse, interdisciplinary fields of study, such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Visual Communication Design, and Fashion Design.

Throughout the program, the delegates engaged in lectures, creative workshops, cultural heritage tours, ecological restoration activities, and collaborative presentations that promoted interdisciplinary learning and cross-cultural exchange. The program provided participants with opportunities to explore Indonesian cultural practices, traditional craftsmanship, digital design technologies, and nature-based solutions through hands-on learning experiences. Highlights included workshops on parametric design and 3D printing, pop-up card making, batik pottery, and creative zine production, heritage visits in several sites in Surabaya, a mangrove restoration activity at Wonorejo Mangrove, and a sunrise mountain trip to Mount Bromo.

The UP College of Architecture delegation, together with all of the DNA Summer Course Participants, in some of the artistic workshops and heritage tours of the program.

The program also strengthened institutional partnerships through a Memorandum of Understanding Signing among UPNVJT, UPCA, Asian Cultural Landscapes Association (ACLA), and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand, which reaffirmed the commitment of participating institutions to strengthen academic collaboration, research partnerships, and future exchange opportunities.

The UP College of Architecture was represented by Asst. Prof. Diomari Centeno in the MOU signing between UPN VJT and UPCA.

The UPCA delegation’s final presentation highlighted the cultural connections between the Philippines and Indonesia, emphasizing shared values rooted in archipelagic identities, cultural diversity, heritage, and traditional practices. As a culmination of the program, the UPCA delegation achieved notable recognition and awards, as follows:

1. Best Essay (Lecture 1: Indonesia Culture on Arts and Design) – Viviene Alexi Ibañez
2. Best Essay (Lecture 3: Decolonizing Tropical Landscape Architecture) – Khyla Godwin Mangalino
3. Best Zine – Khyla Godwin Mangalino
4. Best Creative Videography, Third Place – Neian Nicole Agravante & Viviene Alexi Ibañez
5. Best Creative Photography, First Place – Neil Carlo Madriñal
6. Best Creative Photography, Second Place – Princess Angel Targa
7. Best Creative Photography, Third Place – Viviene Alexi Ibañez
8. Best Participant, First Place – Neian Nicole Agravante
9. Best Final Presentation – UP College of Architecture Team, Diomari Centeno (Faculty-in-Charge)

The UPCA delegation achieved outstanding recognition across multiple categories (eight individual awards and one group award) during the Closing and Awarding Ceremonies, showcasing the creativity, dedication, and excellence of its student and faculty representatives.

The DNA International Summer Course Program 2026 successfully strengthened UPCA’s international engagement and regional partnerships while providing a meaningful platform for experiential learning, cultural exchange, and collaborative design exploration. The program serves as a foundation for future academic collaborations, research initiatives, and student mobility opportunities among participating institutions.

Participants from collaborating institutions – UPN VJT, UPCA, ACLA, and KMITL