La Salle, PUP, UST beat 19 schools, orgs at innovation summit

Students from the De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas emerged as winners at the Innovania 2025:The Builder’s Blueprint – Student Discovery.

During the two-day event, more than 100 students from 19 universities and organizations nationwide joined learning sessions on 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and gamification, followed by an Ideathon where student teams pitched real-world solutions to pressing challenges.
 
Winning teams received a Cubikit and mentorship from Cubicore, enabling them to continue refining their projects with professional guidance.

The De La Salle University – Google Developer Group team said that winning the Cubicore Ideathon was a complete surprise, given the level of innovation from other participants.

“It’s a testament to the talent in the Philippine student tech community,” the team said, adding that they are grateful to work with Cubicore and use the Cubikit to bring their idea to life.”
 
For the PUP-REC Manila team, winning at Globe Innovania 2025 meant more than just recognition, it was a chance to serve.

“We thank Globe for opening doors for innovators like us and Cubicore for equipping us with the Cubikit and mentorship that will help make our vision a reality,” the students said.
 
Meanwhile, the UST Computer Science Society, recipient of the Model Community Award, expressed their gratitude to Globe for recognizing their hard work.

“This achievement marked an unforgettable experience for our team, especially as it was the first experience of its kind for most of our members. We feel truly honored to have received such a prestigious award on our very first endeavor in such a big competition,“ they said.

Beyond the competition, the participants were also introduced to Globe’s Student Program, which offers immersive learning experiences such as internships, volunteer opportunities, and guided tours of Globe offices and data centers.

The initiatives provided them with a clear view of how the country’s largest digital solutions platform operates and innovates at scale.
 
“Globe Innovania 2025 allowed us to fulfill our mission to evangelize IoT technology to Filipino youth. We are very excited to work on the ideas presented during the IoT Ideathon. This is a crucial step in inspiring students to innovate by deploying real IoT solutions created by themselves,” said Carl Rowan, co-founder of Cubicore.

In a press statement, Globe said the event was held simultaneously across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, creating a unique nationwide platform for STEM learners to showcase their creativity and ideas.
 
As part of Globe’s program, the initiative focused on engaging students in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) and Computer Engineering.

The telecom firm said by exposing the students to the latest developments in technology, the program aims to inspire tech students to explore how digital solutions can help advance the country’s economy and communities.
 
“By providing a platform for student ideas to flourish and go for their dreams, we are investing in the country’s next generation of technology leaders,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer at Globe.—Mariel Celine Serquina/AOL, GMA Integrated News