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Where Software Engineering meets Psychology: Strengthening Leadership Skills and Camaraderie as Student Leaders

by | Jan 9, 2026 | Centralian Link

By Amiel Benedict Mirasol


CPU Psychological Society and Philippine Society of Software Engineers elected officers and committee members during a photo opportunity at ‘The NeuroCode: Reprogramming Pathways Toward Effective Leadership,’ which was successfully held on December 13, 2025, at EN 200, Engineering Building.

The CPU Psychological Society and the Philippine Society of Software Engineers successfully conducted a Leadership Training Seminar entitled, ‘The NeuroCode: Reprogramming Pathways Toward Effective Leadership,’ highlighting three aspects of leadership such as problem-solving, time management, and communication.

The NeuroCode: Reprogramming Pathways Toward Effective Leadership is a whole-day leadership training seminar which gathered 60 officers and committee members from the CPU Psychological Society (CPU Psych Soc) and Philippine Society of Software Engineers (PSSE), designed to equip student leaders with essential leadership competencies, aimed to cultivate effective decision-making, communication, and teamwork through structured discussions and interactive activities.

The program formally commenced in the morning with registration proper, followed by preliminaries and opening remarks delivered by Regine Therese Barte, President of the Philippine Society of Software Engineers (PSSE). An icebreaker activity followed, allowing participants to build rapport and create a positive learning environment. This was succeeded by the introduction of the first speaker, Sen. Sam Isaac Alog, CPUR 21st Parliament Senator, who delivered a session on Decision-Making and Problem Solving. The talk highlighted the critical role of analytical thinking and sound judgment in leadership, guiding participants on how to assess situations, weigh possible outcomes, and make informed decisions, especially in challenging and high-pressure scenarios. The session encouraged participants to view problems as opportunities for growth and innovation.

The next session, delivered by Leandrae Edriann Agagas, President of the CPU Psychological Society, focused on Time Management and Delegation, which emphasized the importance of prioritization, organization, and efficiency in leadership roles. The discussion underscored how effective time management helps leaders balance responsibilities while delegation fosters trust and empowers team members. Participants were reminded that leadership is not about doing everything alone, but about maximizing the strengths of the entire team to achieve collective goals.

The morning session concluded with an open forum, allowing participants to ask questions, share insights, and reflect on the lessons learned. Certificates were then awarded to the speakers in recognition of their valuable contributions. The participants proceeded to a lunch break before resuming the afternoon activities.

The afternoon session began with registration proper and an icebreaker to re-energize the participants. This was followed by the introduction of the third speaker, Alana Marapao, Most Outstanding Journalist of Region VI, who delivered a talk on Effective Communication and Teamwork. The session highlighted the significance of clear, respectful, and purposeful communication in fostering strong team dynamics. It discussed the role of active listening, collaboration, and mutual understanding in building cohesive and productive teams. The speaker emphasized that effective leadership is deeply rooted in communication that unites individuals toward a shared vision.

An open forum followed the third lecture, allowing participants to engage further with the speaker and clarify key points. Certificates were then awarded, after which the program transitioned into team-building activities and a raffle. The team-building activities include the minefield game, case file game, paper tower game, action relay, and building a pyramid game. These activities were chosen to test the problem-solving, time management, and communication skills of every participant.

The seminar concluded with the awarding of certificates, followed by the closing remarks delivered by Christia Q. Baylon, Vice President External of the CPU Psychological Society.

Overall, the leadership training seminar served as a meaningful platform for developing skills in effectively managing one’s time, solving a problem, and in communicating. Not just that, the NeuroCode 2025 also became a bridge for psychology and software engineering students to build harmonious relationship which is essential for future endeavors.