UC bets big on AI, digital skills for future jobs
CEBU CITY — The University of Cebu (UC) is ramping up investments in artificial intelligence, digital technology, and industry-driven training as it positions its students for emerging opportunities in high-growth sectors such as automation, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
The strategy recently gained public validation after UC students dominated two major innovation and skills competitions in Cebu, securing top honors in technology, artificial intelligence, and technical skills categories.
The competitions were Innovate Cebu!, organized by Visayan Electric Co., and WorldSkills Philippines-Cebu, organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
During the Innovate Cebu! awarding ceremony at the Aboitiz Corporate Center on May 5, teams from the UC College of Computer Studies (CCS) in UC Banilad and UC Main secured top honors for technology-driven solutions addressing real-world community concerns.
The UC InterPhase team from UC Banilad, composed of James Andrew Labtic, Jericho Floreta, Joshua Jakosalem, and Hospice Carl Taneo, won the championship and received the P200,000 cash prize for “AgriSagot.”
AgriSagot is an agricultural platform that helps farmers detect crop diseases early through crop-scanning technology, recommends proper treatments, connects them with verified suppliers, and alerts nearby farms to prevent disease spread.
Runners-up
UC Main’s CAValry Solutions finished first runner-up for “AidVocate,” receiving P75,000 from the Aboitiz Foundation. The team was composed of Clint Alonzo, Vince Clave D. Igot, and Ralph Adriane Dilao.
AidVocate is a disaster response and relief coordination platform that connects affected families with aid providers in real time, improving communication, transparency, and coordination during calamities through verified data-driven reporting.
UC Banilad’s Innovators team placed second runner-up for its AI-powered papaya disease identification system, winning P50,000.
Meanwhile, UC Team FIRA received P10,000 for making it to the Final Six with its geo-tagged fire reporting system equipped with CNN-based likelihood detection.
Innovate Cebu! is a technology and innovation competition organized in partnership with AI platform InnovationForce to encourage students and professionals to develop solutions addressing Cebu’s pressing challenges through innovation, collaboration, and digital technology.
Gold medals
During the WorldSkills Philippines-Cebu awarding ceremony on May 6, UC Main students captured gold medals in Web Technologies, ICT Network Infrastructure, and Software Applications Development.
The gold medalists were Ralph Comandante, John Paul Singco, and Trixette Rain Montallana.
From UC Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), Alexandre Paquibot secured gold in Artificial Intelligence, while Kient Michael Abenoja earned silver in Graphic Design Technology.
UC Main students Aaron A. Bigno and Joshua Jamisola also won silver medals in IT Network Systems Administration and Artificial Intelligence, respectively.
UCLM’s Benedict Avenido and UC Main’s John Errol Cardenas each received bronze medals in IT Network Systems Administration and Graphic Design Technology.
Beyond IT and AI categories, UC also won gold in restaurant service as well as silver medals in cooking and baking competitions during the TESDA Provincial Skills Olympics.
Industry-driven education
In a statement, UC founding chair Augusto W. Go said the accomplishments symbolize the transformative power of accessible education.
“Education must remain accessible to ordinary Filipino families, especially students from the Visayas and Mindanao who dream of changing their lives through technology and innovation,” Go said.
“For decades, UC has opened doors for young people who only needed one opportunity to succeed,” he added.
“Today, we are investing heavily in AI and modern technology education because we believe the next generation of global innovators can come from Cebu and the rest of Southern Philippines.”
In his trademark wit, Go remarked: “After all, you really cannot spell sUCcess without UC.”
Dr. Dennis Samar, head of UC’s Technical Education Training and Assessment Center, said the victories reflect the university’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates prepared for rapidly evolving industries.
He said UC has continuously aligned its programs with global shifts toward automation, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, and digital transformation.
University officials also cited the institution’s multi-million-peso investments in AI education, advanced laboratories, simulation facilities, and industry-driven training programs as key factors behind the students’ strong performance.
They also credited the achievements to the dedication of UC mentors and coaches led by CCS deans Neil Basabe, Janette Tanquis, and Eric Ortega, along with faculty trainers who guided students in honing their technical expertise, creativity, discipline, and competitive edge. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma