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| (Image Source: Batangas State University - The National Engineering University) |
Batangas State University (BatStateU) is celebrating a major international victory as its BS Chemical Engineering students from Team ECO BEADa secured 2nd place at the World Engineering Day (WED) Hackathon 2025. Competing against over 3,000 participants from 90+ countries, these young innovators proved that Filipino engineers can take on the world and win. The prestigious competition, hosted by UNESCO and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), was held last March 4, 2025 in Paris, France. Led by their mentor Associate Professor Rhonalyn V. Maulion, team members Trixie Mae V. Parañaque, Abraham F. Quintia Jr., Krishna Laida L. Sadsad, and Charisse May V. Castillo developed an innovative solution to help Filipino farmers struggling with water contamination. Their project, ECO BEADa, introduces phosphate-absorbing beads made from eelgrass biochar and kaolinite clay — natural materials that clean wastewater and turn harmful phosphates into eco-friendly fertilizers.
This low-cost, scalable solution could help revitalize farmlands, improve soil fertility, and protect the environment — all while being significantly cheaper than synthetic fertilizers. At just Php750 per 25 kg of biochar fertilizer, it’s an affordable alternative to commercial fertilizers that can cost up to Php1,730. BatStateU’s Center for Innovation in Engineering Education (CIEE) backed the project, ensuring its alignment with real-world needs. But the team didn’t stop at just engineering a solution — they also designed farmer education programs to promote long-term sustainability and empower local communities. Their work directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — including SDG #12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG #13 (Climate Action), and SDG #15 (Life on Land). University President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo couldn’t be prouder of the team, stating, “Our success at the WED Hackathon 2025 is a proud moment for BatStateU and for the Philippines. Team ECO BEADa has shown that through ingenuity and tenacity, Filipino engineers can help solve real-world problems and bring lasting positive change to communities, not just in the country but across the globe.”
Team ECO BEADa did impress the judges - enough for them to take home the grand cash prize of €2,000 or approximately Php125,000 for their impactful contribution. They finished second behind ManufacturingBox from the University of Twente from the Netherlands while Team Torpedo from the University of Hertfordshire/PSB Academy placed third. Meanwhile, the People’s Choice Award went to AgriConnect, a collaboration between Ghana and France. Themed “Shaping Our Sustainable Future Through Engineering”, the WED Hackathon 2025 attracted some of the brightest minds across the globe. Yet, amidst the tough competition, BatStateU’s Team ECO BEADa stood out — not just for their technical expertise, but for their commitment to sustainability and community empowerment. With this win, BatStateU continues to solidify its reputation as the Philippines’ National Engineering University — producing world-class engineers ready to take on global challenges.
