Quezon City, Philippines – The Ricardo and Dr Rosita Leong Hall at Ateneo de Manila University hosted the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in the Philippines (HIC PH) 2024 last November 9, 2024, which was co-organized by the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) and Leave a Nest Philippines, under the theme “Beyond Borders: Uniting Perspectives for a Symbiotic Society.”
The event brought together 162 participants from academia, research institutions, private sectors, startups, and government agencies to address pressing challenges in biomedicine, public health, environmental resilience, and traditional herbal medicine practices. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the conference ignited meaningful dialogue and partnerships, paving the way for impactful solutions.
A Defining Moment: The Ignition Pitch
A key highlight of the conference was the Ignition Pitch, an innovative platform introduced for the first time in the Philippines. Sponsored by Focus Systems Corporation, the session featured 12 early-stage teams presenting their pioneering ideas to an expert panel. Participants received valuable feedback and explored opportunities for collaboration, perfectly aligning with the conference’s mission of fostering actionable innovation.
Two teams stood out for their exceptional proposals:
Focus Systems Ignition Awardee: Elderly Monitoring Using BLE Technology. This project showcased innovative ways to enhance the quality of life for the elderly through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, demonstrating its potential in health monitoring and care.
Focus Systems Ignition Awardee LVNS Ignition Awardee: Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Chitosan-Derived Beads: Removal of Heavy Metals on Contained Waters. The team presented a sustainable solution to environmental contamination, focusing on water purification using innovative materials derived from Black Soldier Fly chitosan.
LVNS Ignition Awardees
The Ignition Pitch session exemplified the essence of interdisciplinary collaboration, where science and innovation meet to tackle real-world challenges.
Keynotes, Panels, and Research Highlights
The conference also featured other standout sessions such as a Keynote Address. Dr Raul V Destura Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Manila Healthtek Inc., led the discussion on collaborative efforts in biomedicine and public health, advocating for a shift from interdisciplinary to transdisciplinary approaches to solve healthcare challenges holistically.
It was then followed by two panel sessions:
Crafting Solutions for Environmental Resilience (in partnership with ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd.) focused on strategies for climate adaptation and ecological protection.
The Growing Role of Traditional Herbal Medicine in the Philippines (in partnership with Rohto Pharmaceuticals) explored the integration of indigenous practices with modern healthcare.
Panel discussion on traditional health medicine in the Philippines
Additionally, the conference included Research Splash paper presentations and poster sessions which highlighted innovative studies from diverse fields. Among 18 Research Splash presentations and 28 posters, four projects were recognized for their ingenuity and potential impact, including:
Poster Awardees:
Shaping the Future of Tissue Engineering in the Philippines: Democratizing Access to Bioprinters and Bioinks by Mary Stephanie Carranza, BIOMATS PH INC.
The Utilization of EcoPeel as a Renewable Source of Energy by Nicole Kirsten Co, Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science.
Research Splash Awardees:
3D-Printed Patient-Specific Mold for Cranioplasty Using PMMA Bone Cement by Dr Roland Gilbert Remenyi, The Medical City.
Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Investigation of Citrate-Capped Gold Nanoparticles by Maria Salvacion Esmalla, University of Santo Tomas.
Ateneo’s Commitment to Collaboration
Serving as co-host of this event, Ateneo de Manila University reaffirmed its role as a dynamic platform for transformative dialogue, bridging academia, industry, and society. Ateneo continues to champion interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation to address complex societal challenges.
The success of HIC PH 2024 lies in its ability to cultivate a collaborative community spanning various sectors and disciplines. By facilitating meaningful connections and sharing collective insights, the conference has set the stage for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience and well-being of Philippine society.
For more information about next year’s conference, visit the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference website.
To know more about how AIPO can help you or your startup, visit: aipo.ateneo.edu/bluenest. You may also follow their social media accounts for the latest updates and announcements: fb.com/AteneoIPO and linkedin.com/company/AteneoIPO.
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