Student-developed technologies eyes to support Lipa City’s smart, sustainable future

 Student-developed technologies eyes to support Lipa City’s smart, sustainable future

By John Maico M. Hernandez

Student-developed information systems from the University of Batangas may soon help address real-world challenges in Lipa City as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-CALABARZON and DOST-Batangas explored opportunities to align these innovations with the city’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Plan during a meeting held at the University of Batangas–Batangas City, on July 6, 2026.

Representing DOST-CALABARZON were Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations; Ms. Bianca Josephine Pantoja, Head of the Management Information Systems Unit; and Mr. Patrick Isaiah Abarra, Smart and Sustainable Communities Program Focal. They were joined by the DOST-Batangas team composed of Mr. John Maico M. Hernandez, Senior Science Research Specialist, and Ms. Renalee L. Reyes, Science Research Specialist II.

The University of Batangas delegation was led by Dr. Abegayle Machelle M. Perez-Chua, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Lolita F. Tegon, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Romell A. Ramos, Director of the Research and Publications Office; Mr. Alvin C. Mercado, Dean of the College of Information and Communications Technology; together with faculty members of the college.

During the meeting, the College of Information and Communications Technology presented several information systems developed by its students that address priority concerns under the five pillars of Lipa City’s STI Plan such as economic, infrastructure, social, environmental, and institutional development. The presentations demonstrated how academic research and student innovation can be translated into digital solutions that respond to actual governance and community needs.

The DOST team evaluated the proposed systems and provided technical recommendations to further enhance their functionality, scalability, and practical application before their presentation to the City Government of Lipa. Discussions focused on refining the systems to better align with the priorities identified in the STI Plan, ensuring that the technologies are responsive to local government requirements and can serve as effective decision-support and public service tools.

The engagement also explored opportunities to bridge academe and government by transforming promising student research outputs into deployable technologies that can contribute to Lipa City’s vision of becoming a smart and sustainable city.

Through collaborations such as this, DOST continues to strengthen partnerships with higher education institutions, demonstrating how research and innovation can move beyond the classroom and become practical solutions that improve governance, public services, and the quality of life of communities.