ISUFST, ISAT-U Students Win Top Honors at Global ICT Event

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Student researchers from Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) Miagao Campus earned major awards at the 1st International ICT Research Colloquium (ICT IRC 2025) held April 25 at the Techno Hub, ISUFST Main Campus in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

The event recognized winners across two research tracks, with participants taking home Best Paper, Best Presenter, and Best Poster awards.

In the Web and Mobile App Track, Marilou A. Montevirgen of ISAT-U Miagao Campus won both Best Paper and Best Presenter for her team’s project, “DOCCHECK: An Online Annotating Tool for a Capstone Document.”

The study impressed judges for its innovative and practical approach to streamlining academic documentation using a user-friendly web platform.

In the AI, Machine Learning, and IoT Track, ISUFST Dumangas Campus’ Kaniella D. Casianan swept all major awards—Best Paper, Best Presenter, and Best Poster—for her team’s project, “Development of a Soil-Based Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Storage Prototype with IoT-Enabled Monitoring of Energy Storage, Generation, and Consumption.”

Their project proposed a low-cost, sustainable energy system aligned with green technology trends.

“We are proud to see our students push boundaries in innovation and research,” said Dr. Renante Diamante, dean of the ISUFST College of Information and Communications Technology and overall event chair.

“This colloquium proves that ISUFST and our partners can contribute to solving global challenges through local ingenuity,” he said.

The colloquium was jointly organized by ISUFST and Universitas Brawijaya of Indonesia under the theme “Resilience and Adaptation: Research for a More Equitable and Secure World.”

The event featured more than 20 research presentations from Philippine and international institutions and included keynote speakers from France, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

“This international conference sends a strong message,” said ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr.

“It shows that a state university like ISUFST can build global bridges through collaborative research and that our students’ ideas can spark positive change in a fast-moving world,” he added.

Montevirgen and Casianan’s wins were affirmed by a panel of experts and judges from respected academic and research institutions.

Their projects stood out not only for their technical rigor but also for addressing real-world needs in education, sustainability, and digital innovation.

It was evident these students aimed to create tangible impact beyond theory.

Events like ICT IRC 2025 reflect ISUFST’s growing commitment to international engagement and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The university continues to prioritize quality education, innovation, and global partnerships in its research initiatives.

ISUFST’s expanding research presence on international stages underscores its mission to develop a new generation of thinkers, innovators, and changemakers ready to lead in a rapidly evolving world. (Ricky Ramos and Herman Lagon / PAMMCO)