Saint Mary’s University sent six students and a faculty coach to participate in the North Intensive Program (NIP) held from January 29 to February 9, 2024, at Vives University of Applied Sciences in Belgium. This program, renowned for its commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration, brings together students from diverse backgrounds to form multinational and interdisciplinary teams. These teams have been tasked with addressing the pressing challenges of the 21st century, particularly those originating in the local communities of West Flanders.

The six Marians were Marcus Angelo Ajaban, BS Nursing 3; Jyrus Alain Bulatao, BS Psychology 3; Jehoiaquim Lenoer Cordova, BS Biology 2; Juan Miguel Llacuna, BS Biology 2; Leo Estocapio, BS Business Administration major in Marketing Management 3; Shannen Soliven, BS Accountancy 4. Their coach, Dr. Elsa Cajucom, the Center for Natural Sciences director, was with them.

As a significant component of their major presentation, the participants were provided with materials for constructing their prototypes. These prototypes were developed based on the real-world cases presented by stakeholders of the Synergy Program. This hands-on approach allowed the participants to translate theoretical concepts into tangible solutions, fostering innovation and practical problem-solving skills among the group.

Juan Miguel Llacuna, one of the six Marian delegates, was one of the proponents of the group’s compelling case on Agroforestry. Their innovative approach, centered on intercropping – the practice of cultivating multiple crops in the same area simultaneously, garnered them the prestigious Jury’s Award for Best Case Output. Their comprehensive plan introduced three pivotal elements: leveraging black pepper as a high-value cash crop, integrating rhubarb and pumpkin for low-maintenance cultivation, and implementing mini-machinery for enhanced efficiency in cultivation processes. This strategic combination showcases their dedication to sustainable agricultural practices and underscores their commitment to addressing contemporary agricultural challenges with forward-thinking solutions.

Llacuna shared that the wall nut tree farmers want to maximize the space between the trees. Hence, they came up with a solution to introduce the black pepper because he said that ” black pepper is a high-value crop and has a good market, but this crop will be experimental and will be placed beside the diameter of the tree, and the two crops that we propose is the rhubarb and the pumpkin where the labor intensity is only in planting and harvesting.”

They also proposed mini machinery that will be cultivated inside the area of 8×3 to help the farmers plant faster.

Furthermore, Jyrus Alain Bulatao, one of the Plastic Nieuwpoort team members, clinched the prestigious Audience Award. Their innovative initiative centered around the creation of “Polly,” the Pollution Monster, serving as the centerpiece of an engaging Interactive Awareness Campaign aimed at combatting plastic pollution in Ganzepoot’s canals and estuary. Bulatao emphasized Polly’s role in undergoing a dramatic transformation into a formidable trash monster strategically designed to elicit emotional reactions from children and families, ultimately discouraging littering behaviors.

This imaginative approach captivated the audience and underscored the team’s commitment to fostering environmental consciousness and effecting positive change within their community.

The Intensive Program (IP), established in 2019, is a testament to the collaborative efforts between higher education institutions in the Philippines and West Flanders. These IP sessions represent short yet intensive study programs, where students and educators from both Philippine and Belgian institutions unite to delve into development-relevant themes. The intensive program centered on sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and climate change.

These programs serve as platforms for meaningful collaboration and knowledge exchange, which allow Marians to enrich their internationalization experience. By engaging in this intensive program, Saint Mary’s University aims to contribute to discovering creative solutions and advancing global problem-solving initiatives