A team of students from Bohol Island State University (BISU) has won the grand prize in an international product design and ergonomics competition held recently in Indonesia.

The team’s product was a portable water purifier that can filter contaminated water using solar energy and natural materials.

The competition, called CHRONICS 2023, was organized by the Industrial Engineering Student Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The theme for this year’s competition was “Design for Social Impact”, which challenged the participants to create products that can solve social problems and improve the quality of life of the people.

The BISU Fordago Team, composed of team leader Medy Gucaban, members Jocelyn Faith Pozon and Kenn Bantugan, and team adviser Jerome Manatad, represented the Philippines in the competition. They competed against more than 100 other teams from various universities and institutions in the region.

Receiving a cash prize of $5,000 USD and a trophy from the organizers of the competition, the grand prize winners also received praises and congratulations from various officials and personalities, including Dr. Anthony Penaso, the university president of BISU, Dr. Proceso Castil, the campus director of BISU Main Campus, Engr. Julius Castro, the dean of College of Engineering, Architecture and Industrial Design, Comm. Jo Mark M. Libre, the chairperson-designate of the BISU Board of Regents.

One of the most prominent congratulators was Bohol Rep. Edgar Migriño Chatto, who authored the legislation of BISU becoming a state university. In a statement, Rep. Chatto said:

“I am proud of the achievements of the BISU students and faculty. I hope that their success will inspire more young designers to pursue innovation and invention for social good.

I also want to commend BISU for being home to FABLAB, a platform for innovation and invention that was the first in the country, which was a collaboration with DTI, DOST and JICA. The university and FABLAB continue to be relevant in our collective pursuit of inclusive growth through skills development for our talents and product development for our MSMEs.

Congratulations and more power to the BISU Fordago Team and to BISU! You have made us all proud!”

The BISU Fordago Team said that they were grateful for the opportunity to represent their university and their country in the international competition, and that they hoped that their product would make a positive impact on the lives of many people.

They also thanked their mentors, supporters, and sponsors for their guidance and assistance throughout their journey.