Harmony in Diversity: Concluding the 4th Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in the Philippines

Last November 11, 2023, Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc conducted the annual Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in the Philippines at the Benavides Building of the University of Santo Tomas. This event garnered a total of 198 participants. This year’s HIC PH 2023 theme is “Convergence of Reformative Technologies for Localized Solutions” which tackled the amalgamation of transformative technologies to tackle unique challenges faced by the Philippines, particularly through discussions regarding how knowledge and technologies around Asia have been used to solve such local and unique issues in the Philippines. 

This year’s HIC had a total of 4 panel discussions, 2 research splash sessions, and 2 poster sessions. The proceedings were formally initiated with an opening remark delivered by Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla, the Managing Director of Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc. Subsequently, a welcoming remark was extended to Asst. Prof. Noel Aban of TOMASInno, representing Engr. Raymond A Marquez, the University of Santo Tomas – TOMASInno Center Manager.

Prior to the commencement of the panel sessions, an insightful keynote partner speech was presented by Mr. Akinori Nishimoto, a Pharmacist and Chief Scientist at the Medical CMC Group Eye Care Product Development Division of ROHTO Pharmaceuticals, Co. Ltd. Within this keynote address, Mr. Nishimoto provided an overview of ROHTO Pharmaceuticals, Co. Ltd., elucidating on the nature of their operations and expounding upon their strategic expansion plan within the Philippines.

The keynote session began with Ms. Hannah Mae Balisi, this year's HIC PH Project Leader, presenting the theme for HIC PH 2023. Engr. Lorilyn P. Daquioag followed with a keynote speech on her experiences developing satellites Maya 3 and 4, emphasizing the importance of the Philippines having its own satellites. The session also covered the conference theme, current technological innovation, challenges in implementing global technology, legal foundations for copyright in technology reform, and strategies for advancing technological productivity in the Philippines. The panelists of this session were Engr. Kevin Facun, Senior Consultant of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Dr. Ria Liza Canlas, Executive Member of the National Innovation Council, and Mr. Rocell Vicente, Acting Chief of the Philippine Space Agency Planning and Project Management Division. 

The keynote session was enhanced by a specialized research splash presentation, divided into two sessions of 30 minutes each—morning and afternoon. Researchers from diverse backgrounds had three minutes to present their research, covering topics, abstracts, findings, and future directions. Afterward, the poster presentation was held at the building’s Ground Floor Lobby. Attendees interacted with researchers at their booths, fostering knowledge exchange and potential collaborations, highlighting the conference's commitment to a conducive environment for sharing insights and cultivating connections within the academic community.

The afternoon started with the second panel discussion moderated by Mr. Ronrick Arayata titled “The Outlook of Education: Exploring the Integration of Cyber Technology” with panelists Dr. Lawrence Madriaga, Campus Director of Philippine Science High School – Main Campus, Mr. Truong Vo Huu Thien, Founder & CEO of GaraSTEM, Dr. Randolf S. Sasota, Officer-in-Charge of DOST-SEI’s Science and Technology Manpower Education Research and Promotions Division  which discussed the hurdles faced by the education sector in its pursuit of enhancements, not only in the Philippines but also in neighboring countries. Insights regarding modernizing the education sector and exploration of government initiatives aimed at facilitating the incorporation of these technologies and the envisioned futures for education in both sectors were also some topics that were discussed. 

The third panel discussion centered around “Ensuring the Future of Filipinos: the Different Angles of Health and Wellness.” This session illuminated the intricacies associated with the development and introduction of medical solutions, encompassing both local and international perspectives. In contrast to its apparent simplicity, this process, analogous to any technological undertaking, involves a myriad of considerations, including professional, business, and IT infrastructure, as well as data-related concerns. Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla served as the moderator for this session, alongside esteemed panelists, namely Ms. Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte, Director of the Export Marketing Bureau at the Department of Trade and Industry; Dr. Leo D.P. Cubillan, M.P.H, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of the Philippines Systems; and Mr. Ernest Troyss B. Pilapil, CEO and Co-Founder of CP Health Innovations, Inc.

The fourth and final panel discussion centered on “Forest Resource Utilization: Taking Advantage and Care of Philippine Biodiversity”, with Dr. Yuko Ueno serving as the session moderator. The primary objective of this session was to stimulate further exploration and development of the utilization of our forest resources by actively involving researchers engaged in on-the-ground studies. Furthermore, the discussion underscored the pivotal role of collaboration in ensuring the feasibility and sustainability of such endeavors. The distinguished panelists for this session included Ms. Jessebel Gadot from the Centralized Analytical Testing Laboratory of the University of Antique, Dr. Joanna Orejola, Associate Professor at the College of Pharmacy of the University of the Philippines Manila, and Dr. Mary Ann Bautista, a Botanist affiliated with the Center for Conservation Innovation Ph Inc. 

Prior to the conclusion of the event, an awarding ceremony took place. In this year's ceremony, Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc. recognized the outstanding contributions of two research splash presenters, each receiving a prize of Php 15,000.00. The recipients of the Research Splash awards are Mr. Darwin Garbales from Central Bicol State University for his research titled “ADIANGAO CAVE-DWELLING BACTERIAL ISOLATES: A Novel Approach for Enhancing the Growth and Yield of OPV Corn” and Mr. Alan Marco Mercado from the University of the Philippines Los Baños for his research titled “Designing a Recruitment Management System for the Human Resource Department of an Academic Institution in the Philippines.” 

Aside from the Research Splash Awards, Leave a Nest Philippines also awarded six poster presenters, each receiving Php 5,000. The six poster presentation winners are as follows:

1. Mr. Manuel Del Rosario (Philippine Space Agency) – “Opportunities for Local Space Manufacturing in the Philippines”
2. Mr. Mark Jason Aguilar (Ateneo De Manila University) – “Design and Development of a Low-cost IoT-based Smart Pill-Dispensing System”
3. Ms. Kryst Dranrev Jurolan (Bukidnon State University) – “IoT-Based Air Monitoring and Ventilation System for Computer Laboratory”
4. Mr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon (Mapua University) – “PhysicoChemi- Mechanical, Thermal and Rheological Properties Analysis of Pili Tree (Canarium Ovatum) Resin as Aircraft Integral Fuel Tank Sealant”
5. Mr. Frederick Z. Ilan (Technological University of the Philippines-Manila) – “Prima Block: A Self-Aligning Aerated Concrete Block Made Up of Pulverized Glass and Plastic Fibers”
6. Ms. Nicole Kirsten M. Co (Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science) – “The Utilization of Rain-Powered Micro Electric Generator System (RPMEGS) as a Renewable Source of Electricity”

The formal closure of the event was marked by the concluding remarks delivered by Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos, the Director of Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc. In her address, she brought the event to a conclusion with the optimistic aspiration that the conference had served as a platform for participants to collectively channel their knowledge toward formulating solutions that would yield long-term benefits for the Philippines. Additionally, she underscored the importance of sustaining the discussions initiated during the conference, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to further advance the identified areas of discourse.

While HIC PH 2023 has concluded, the connections and collaborations formed are set to extend into the future. The ideas and synergies generated during the event are expected to catalyze ongoing engagement among participants, propelling a lasting legacy of collaboration across various domains. This includes expecting more activities and technologies in the country from partners such as Rohto and Focus Systems – as well as promotion of research collaborations between our presenters and other stakeholders, such as Real Tech Holdings, that were present (or not) to make sure that the technologies that they are developing would reach the hands of the general public. We hope that during the HIC PH 2024 next year, we will get to hear more of these ideas come into a reality.