Saint Louis University (SLU) celebrated another achievement. Its student teams emerged as champions in all three categories of the Baguio-Benguet Provincial Pitching Activity of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Cordi-INSPIRE Regional Innovation Challenge held on 14 October 2026 at Lafayette Luxury Suites, Baguio City.
This regional ideation hackathon challenged student teams to develop innovative solutions that promote smart and sustainable communities. Several universities and colleges in Baguio-Benguet competed in thematic categories namely: Smart Agriculture, Smart DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction), and Smart Governance.
The SLU teams secured the championship titles in all three, demonstrating the university’s commitment to nurturing creativity, technological excellence, and socially responsive innovation. Representing the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS) and the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), the winning teams showcased how interdisciplinary knowledge and technology can address pressing community needs.
In the Smart Agriculture category, Team Highland Innovators, composed of second-year BS Computer Science students, emerged as champions with TIPON, a smart agricultural solution designed for Benguet farmers. Their achievement highlighted the potential of computer science in developing intelligent, technology-enabled solutions that support local agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
Team Tripl3x, composed of third-year BS Information Technology students, claimed the championship in the Smart Governance category with TAYO, a smart solution aimed at enhancing public service delivery. Their accomplishment underscored the role of information technology in developing digital solutions that can improve public services and contribute to more responsive and efficient governance.
Meanwhile, Team Sibol, composed of second-year BS Mechatronics students, secured the championship in the Smart DRR category with their project, Buhay-buhay, an earthquake mapping system. Their success reflected the value of engineering and mechatronics in advancing technology-based solutions to community challenges.
The teams will advance to the regional championship on 5 to 6 November 2026, in Apayao, where they will compete against teams from other colleges and universities in their respective categories. The competition will also provide a pathway for winning teams to pursue business incubation, technology commercialization, and local development.
Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), these achievements underscored the strengths of SLU’s academic programs in preparing students to translate classroom learning into practical, innovative solutions. Through the BS Computer Science program, students develop the computational thinking and problem-solving skills needed to build intelligent systems. The BS Information Technology program equips students to harness digital technologies in addressing organizational and societal needs, while the BS Mechatronics program integrates engineering, electronics, and intelligent systems to support technological innovation. (Article and Photos by SAMCIS)
