Foundation University celebrated its 17th annual Digital Expo, dubbed Digital Dumaguete 2025, at Robinsons Dumaguete on February 27-March 1.
The collaboration between Foundation University and Robinsons Dumaguete showcased the innovative minds of students from the various colleges and departments, allowing the audience to witness the creativity and technological skills of the university’s brilliant minds.
Also joining as another corporate sponsor was Power Mac Center, Inc. represented by Gel Derota, account manager, Education Business Team.
Guest of honor at the opening was Jose Jemson Lape, chief technology officer of CebNet Technologies Inc., who challenged the audience to embrace technological innovations, including artificial intelligence (A.I.), as this is the direction the world is going into. Showing appreciation on behalf of the academic community were University President Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco, Chancellor Dr. Charlotte Carino, and other members of the administration.
Setting the tone of the three-day expo was the launch of ArtHimo, a joint project of the Department of Fine Arts and the College of Computer Studies, which is an interactive gallery or exhibit of the best works of Fine Arts students as created through an app by Information Technology students as part their capstone project.
Onlookers were immersed into a vibrant environment filled with futuristic displays, interactive booths, and hands-on demonstrations. Each college showcased their crafted booths, reflecting the diverse skills and talents of the students.
Throughout the duration of the event, viewers were treated to a series of activities, with each department organizing their own interactive events.
The CODE IT competition, organized by the College of Computer Studies, invited Senior High School students to showcase their problem-solving skills, programming logic, and coding skills. With three challenging stages, the competition tested participants’ ability to think critically and creatively, offering a glimpse into the future of software development.
Meanwhile, the IE-TECHLYMPICS organized by the School of Industrial Engineering and Technology, introduced an exciting twist to the expo. It was a series of fun activities that challenged participants’ knowledge of the engineering design process. By tackling real-world problems with strategic planning and teamwork, students showed the immense value of creative thinking and innovation in engineering.
For those in the field of hospitality and tourism, the CHM Cup: Tourism and Hospitality Management Skills Olympics, provided a mix of exciting challenges. Students from the College of Hospitality Management presented their skills in cake decorating, flower arrangement, and a tourism and hospitality quiz bee. These activities emphasized creativity, precision, and service in the world of hospitality.
Sustainability took centerstage at the Sustainable Innovation Challenge hosted by the College of Business Administration. The challenge was to design, prototype, and pitch a sustainable product within two hours using raw materials from a mystery box. These materials, designed to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighted the university’s commitment to socially responsible innovations for a more sustainable future.
The Crime and Combat: A Showcase of Precision, Strategy, and Mastery event, hosted by the College of Criminology, was a showcase of precision, skill, and strategy. It featured demonstrations of marksmanship, arnis, crime scene simulation, and mixed martial arts. The event showed the College’s commitment to preparing students for careers in law enforcement and criminology through hands-on applications and skills development.
The Click of Talents, a presentation of Foundation Preparatory Academy, offered a stunning display of limitless potential. The event showcased the talent and creativity of the Academy’s students, showing that excellence is promoted at all levels of education in the university.
Attendees were also treated to Docathon 2.0, a documentary filmmaking competition, organized by the College of Arts and Sciences in partnership with Greyhound Innovations and Make A Difference (MAD) courses. With the theme “Everyday Heroes,” this activity featured inspiring stories of people and organizations making impacts in their communities through acts of kindness, service, and resilience.
Other exciting activities were the Cardboard Beam and Bamboo Truss Destruction Esquisse where students from the Department of Architecture showcased their resourcefulness by constructing beams and trusses from everyday materials, testing their strength-to-weight ratios.
Agri Henyo: Agri to Dis-Agri, organized by the College of Agriculture, demonstrated sustainable farming practices and the importance of agricultural innovation.
The CEista of the College of Education celebrated artistic expression through dance, presenting a mix of different dance styles that captivated the audience with their energy and creativity.
Another memorable moment was The Nightingale Jam, a performance show hosted by the College of Nursing. The students performed their diverse talents in music, dance, and other forms of performance art, which provided a refreshing break from the technical and academic aspects of the Expo.
On the last day, attendees were treated to the beauty and richness of Filipino culture through Celebrating Cultures, an event of the Office for Culture and the Arts. The lively performance of music, song, and dance united students from various backgrounds to celebrate the country’s rich traditions and artistic heritage.
A highlight at the closing was the raffle of the grand prize, an electric-powered motorbike, won by a student of the College of Agriculture. Several audio speakers were likewise raffled courtesy of Power Mac Center, Inc., including a number of attractive giveaway items like tote bags and notepads.
What brought the house down was the giving away of university merchandise like activity shirts, caps, and ballpens spearheaded by President Dean Sinco, who was joined by his family members, his mother, President Emeritus Dr. Mira Sinco, brother Luis Sinco, and son Stephen Sinco.
In the end, Digital Dumaguete 2025 was more than just an event – it was a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, preparing students to become the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of the future. | With reports from Broadcast Communication students, Ciarrah Lois Castillon and Princess Honey Daling
