UPV Students Excel in Regional Statistics Contests

By Phil Liam Nono

The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) earned top honors in both the Statistical Infographics Contest and the 17th Statistics Analysis Contest for College Students during Region VI’s 35th National Statistics Month celebration, themed “Advancing Data and Statistics through Digital Transformation: A Road to an Empowered Nation.”

Out of 29 competing teams from colleges and universities across the region, UPV’s team of fourth-year BS Statistics students—Glenn Ivan Macitas, Czar Jerwin Pagunsan, and Arpachshad Panoy, coached by Dr. Jhoanne Marsh C. Gatpatan—secured first place in the Statistics Analysis Contest with their paper, Digital Transformation as Economic Development: A Philippine Context. The competition was held on October 15 at the RDC Hall, NEDA Region VI.

This year’s competition, organized by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI (CHED RO VI) through CHED Memorandum Order No. 302, series of 2024, in collaboration with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region VI and the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc. Region VI Chapter (PSAI6), marked the return of the Statistics Analysis Contest. It aimed to raise college students’ awareness of the crucial role of statistics in national development.

Adding to UPV’s accolades, fourth-year BS Statistics student Rey Mark Paran won first place in the Statistical Infographics Contest with his entry, Bytes of Progress. His infographic detailed the development of the nation’s digital economy, highlighted key government digitalization efforts, and discussed challenges such as labor skill development, cybersecurity, and rural connectivity.

In the Photography Contest, UPV also secured recognition, with fourth-year BS Statistics student Franque Gilo achieving fourth place out of 16 entries for his photo Bayad. The image showcased the transformative effect of digital payments in public transportation, emphasizing convenience and the importance of inclusive access.

UPV’s accomplishments were celebrated at the 35th NSM Closing and Awarding Ceremony at the National Museum of the Philippines in Iloilo City, where winning students received trophies, cash prizes, and certificates. These achievements contribute to UP Visayas’ strong performance in this year’s NSM festivities, which earned them the prestigious “Best NSM Agency” award for the third consecutive year.