AIPO Brings Design Thinking and IP Basics to the RCWI Open House 2026

The Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) joined fellow units under the Research, Creative Work, and Innovation (RCWI) cluster in welcoming the Ateneo community to the RCWI Open House 2026, held on 12 August 2026 at Faber Hall.

Running from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, the Open House featured a series of practical mini-talks designed to help members of the Ateneo community navigate different aspects of research, creative work, innovation, and scholarly engagement. Held at the Rizal Mini-Theater, the sessions covered topics ranging from research ethics and publishing to design thinking, intellectual property, research communication, publication awards, and conference presentation grant applications.

AIPO Shares Practical Insights on Design Thinking and Intellectual Property

As part of the day's program, AIPO delivered two mini-talks focused on helping participants transform ideas into meaningful and potentially protectable outputs.

At 11:30 AM, Mr Steve Maverick Chaves of AIPO’s Ideation Support Group led the session “Design Thinking: What Is It?,” introducing the principles of design thinking and its role in developing solutions that respond to real needs.

Image: Mr Steve Maverick Chaves discusses Design Thinking, highlighting its role in developing innovative, user-centered solutions

Watch the recording here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2235905520567384

The session highlighted the value of approaching problems from the perspective of users, identifying their needs, and developing solutions through an iterative process. By introducing participants to a human-centered approach to innovation, the talk encouraged researchers, faculty members, students, and creatives to look beyond the initial idea and consider how their work can create meaningful value for its intended users.

In the afternoon, Ms Madielaine Fatallo of AIPO’s Protection and Education Group conducted “The Basics of Intellectual Property” from 1:00 to 1:30 PM.

Image: Ms Madielaine Fatallo explains how the Philippine intellectual property system works and why it matters for the Ateneo community.

Watch the recording here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1942884856550635

Fatallo’s talk introduced participants to fundamental concepts in intellectual property and emphasized the importance of recognizing, managing, and protecting intellectual assets arising from research, innovation, and creative work. The discussion provided participants with a starting point for understanding how intellectual property can support the development, protection, and eventual utilization of their ideas and outputs.

Together, the two AIPO sessions reflected the interconnected journey from identifying problems and developing solutions through design thinking to recognizing and protecting the intellectual property that may emerge from the innovation process.

Bringing RCWI Services Closer to the Ateneo Community

Beyond the mini-talks, the Open House also provided an opportunity for participants to engage directly with the different units and programs under the RCWI cluster.

AIPO and other participating RCWI units, as well as the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)—set up information booths in Faber 101, where members of the Ateneo community could ask questions, learn about available services and programs, and connect directly with the teams supporting research and creative work across the University.

Image: The AIPO booth at the RCWI Open House highlights the range of services offered by the office.

Through these booths, guests were able to explore the different forms of support available to them—from intellectual property protection and research integrity to publishing, research grants, recognition opportunities, and professional membership in the NRCP.

The Open House underscored the OAVP RCWI's commitment to making the research and innovation support system more visible, accessible, and approachable to the wider Ateneo de Manila community. Whether participants attended a single mini-talk or stayed for the entire program, the event provided useful contacts, practical information, and clearer pathways for moving their research, innovation, and creative work forward.

For AIPO, the event was also an opportunity to reinforce its role in supporting members of the University who embark upon the innovation journey—from ideation and design thinking to intellectual property protection, commercialization, and technology transfer.

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If you would like to learn more about intellectual property, innovation, and AIPO's programs and services, connect with the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office by visiting their website, sending them an email at aipo@ateneo.edu, or following them on social media.