Filipino students win top spots in international contest

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Two Filipino students emerged as top winners at the Next Generation Innovations competition, securing scholarships worth over ₱1,578,900.

Hosted by international education specialist Study Group, the contest concluded its finale in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with eight students from Southeast Asia presenting innovative projects.

The competition required participants to submit a 5,000-word project proposal showcasing how they plan to use their higher education to make a difference. The winning project, “DivorceDialogue,” by Stephanie Jane Magbitang from the Philippines, captivated the judges with its innovative fusion of business and advocacy.

“It’s a dream come true! I’m grateful for the judges’ feedback and can’t wait to use this scholarship to further my studies at the University of Sheffield. I’m so grateful that applying through Study Group has given me access to scholarships like these to help me study in the UK!” said Magbitang.

Stephanie will be attending her International Foundation Year at Study Group’s University of Sheffield International College this September before progressing to her first year studying Law at the University of Sheffield in 2025.

The second place went to another Filipino, Crescia San Angel, with her project, “Superheroes Need Saving Too: Innovative Dual-Chip Tracker and a Cross-Border Protection System for Overseas Workers.” Crescia’s project combined modern engineering with advocacy for the protection of overseas foreign workers. She will enter her International Foundation Year this November at Study Group’s Durham University International Study Centre, progressing towards her first year in International Relations at Durham University in 2025.

The third place was awarded to Vanessa Shannon Suryandi from Indonesia, whose project, “Pangéstu,” focused on revitalizing wellness tourism in Indonesia ethically. Vanessa will start her International Foundation Year at Study Group’s University of Sheffield International College this September, progressing to her first year studying Business at the University of Sheffield in 2025.

The competition, launched on April 22, 2024, required project submissions by June 30, 2024. The top eight finalists were invited on a sponsored trip to Malaysia for the finals, where they presented their ideas in a 15-minute pitch followed by a Q&A session.

Scholarship awards were as follows:

• First Place: £8,000 (₱601,496.40)
• Second Place: £7,000 (₱526,309.35)
• Third Place: £6,000 (₱451,122.30)

Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcón, Chief Academic Officer of Study Group, praised the participants, saying, “We are thrilled with the outcome of this year’s competition. It is inspiring to witness the creativity and passion of these young minds. We at Study Group remain committed to ensuring that students around the world have increasing opportunities to access global higher education with our renowned partner schools.”

The Next Generation Innovations competition is set to be an annual event, furthering Study Group’s mission to create opportunities for students to achieve their academic goals.

For more information about Study Group, visit Study Group.