Xavier University officially bridged the gap between the classroom and the community with its inaugural Hackathon Bootcamp and Pitching Event. As a highlight of the Research Month celebration, the event challenged five interdisciplinary teams to use "Filipinnovation"—the blend of creativity and research—to solve real-world problems. The event was organized by the XU Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office (KTTO), in partnership with the XU Technology Business Incubation team.
The 3-day event kicked off with an intensive bootcamp on the first and second days. Participants moved beyond theory, learning how to frame complex problems and align their creative ideas with evidence-based research. The goal was simple: ensure every solution was not just "cool," but actually responsive to the nation's needs.
The energy peaked during the 3rd day pitch session. Teams faced a panel of experts from DTI-Misamis Oriental, DOST X, and UC 1 Corporation, defending their projects on the grounds of practicality and social responsibility. The judges included Mr Ronald Legaspi, Mr Murphy Idago II, and Engr. Elpidio Paras, respectively.
The standout of the pitching contest was Team GRWM, who made a "clean sweep" by taking home all three major awards: Best Hackathon Project, Best Research Integration, and the Community Impact Award. Their project, titled “Novus,” was developed by members Vincent Dorian Gamos from the College of Engineering, Miguel Lorenzo Redoble from the College of Agriculture, Vic Daniel Magas from the School of Business and Management, and Nehemiah Josh Wong from the College of Computer Studies. The panel of judges lauded the project for its "ready-to-deploy" research foundation, specifically noting how it directly addresses poverty and waste management.
This milestone event redefines the role of research at the University. By fostering a culture of collaborative problem-solving, Xavier University has proven that research is more than an academic requirement—it is a vital tool for nation-building and the common good.
