The future of Filipino innovation is in good hands as the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation have joined forces to nurture the next generation of problem-solvers through the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards.
Participants in the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards 2024
This collaborative initiative recognizes and celebrates the groundbreaking projects of young innovators from leading universities across the country, focusing on solutions to critical issues facing the Philippines.
The awards program culminated in the recognition of the top 11 teams, whose projects spanned a diverse range of innovations, from tech-driven solutions to impactful community-based initiatives. The BPI Foundation emphasized that this partnership underscores BPI’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation for national progress and sustainable development.
DOST and BPI, embracing technological advancements
BPI President and CEO, Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, highlighted the company’s long-standing tradition of embracing technological advancements, citing examples like online banking and ATMs. “We always foster the culture of being the first to adopt new technologies,” Limcaoco stated.
However, he stressed that the driving force behind this pursuit of innovation is a deep commitment to serving clients and improving the lives of all Filipinos. “We think that real innovation should be focused on improving the lives of all Filipinos; only then can scientific and technological breakthroughs actually mean progress for the country,” he added.
The BPI-DOST Innovation Awards program kicked off with an immersive Innovation and Business Workshop in September 2024. Esteemed speakers from the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) led the sessions, equipping the participating students with essential skills to transform their innovative ideas into practical and meaningful solutions.
The workshop covered a wide array of topics crucial for successful innovation, including design thinking, innovation and creative entrepreneurship, presentation skills, patent acquisition, collaboration and networking, technology marketing and commercialization, and building effective business models. These sessions proved invaluable in providing the students with the tools they needed to refine their projects and prepare for the competition.
Students from St. Louis University: Winners of the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards in 2022
The selection process was rigorous, with a distinguished panel of judges lending their expertise and passion to the task. The panel comprised Carmina Marquez, executive director of the BPI Foundation; Ryan Corpuz, a S&T Fellow from the DOST; Marie Paz Morales, a respected educator representing the academic sector; Aristotle Ubando, a prominent Filipino scientist; and Gonzalo Serafica, representing the business sector.
The BPI Foundation noted that the judges provided clear and actionable feedback to each team, ensuring that every participant gained valuable insights that would benefit them far beyond the competition itself.
The BPI-DOST Innovation Awards represent a significant investment in the future of the Philippines. By empowering young innovators and providing them with the resources and mentorship they need, the program aims to cultivate a culture of innovation that can address the nation’s most pressing challenges.
From health and environmental concerns to disaster preparedness, education, and entrepreneurship, the projects developed by these young innovators offer a glimpse into the potential of Filipino ingenuity.
This partnership between the DOST-SEI and the BPI Foundation serves as a powerful example of how collaboration between government, the private sector, and academia can drive meaningful change and create a brighter future for the Philippines.