Written by Divine Aguilar-Agudong
UB secured 3rd place in the Smart City Challenge 2024, held on December 11 at the Baguio Convention Center. The competition, which aims to inspire innovative solutions to urban challenges, had participation from 67 teams representing eight institutions from the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay (BLISTT) areas.
Team ThirdEye from the School of Information Technology (SIT) earned recognition for their innovative project designed to assist visually impaired individuals. Their proposed solution is a device that enables the blind to navigate safely and effectively both indoors and outdoors.
This innovation directly addresses critical societal needs and aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Supporting independence and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Promoting technological advancement that supports inclusive and sustainable development.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Promoting inclusivity by improving accessibility for the visually impaired.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing urban environments to accommodate diverse populations.
The team, composed of students Zschairail Balanza, Aaron Joshua Sese, John Ross Sabado, and Shekinah Sotero, was mentored by Mr. Meynard Soriano, a faculty member of SIT. Their idea exemplifies the competition’s theme, “Innovating Sustainable Solutions through Emerging Technologies,” and demonstrates the potential for technology to create positive change in society.
UB’s Active Participation
UB displayed strong involvement in the competition, contributing a total of nine entries, which was managed by Ms. Junamil Zamora, also a faculty of SIT. Team ThirdEye emerged as a finalist and ultimately secured 3rd place after presenting their solution to a distinguished panel of judges from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the city government.
The Smart City Challenge 2024, encouraged participants to address urban challenges in areas such as transportation, water management, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Teams underwent mentorship sessions to refine their ideas and align them with smart city goals, ensuring practical feasibility and societal impact.
With this accomplishment, UB has set a standard for innovation and inclusivity in technology. SIT’s participation in the Smart City Challenge 2024 opens opportunities for collaboration with local governments and industry leaders to implement their project and create lasting societal impact.
The University of Baguio through SIT continues to demonstrate leadership in addressing urban challenges and fostering innovation, paving the way for a smarter, more inclusive future.
