Agriculture in the Philippines and neighboring ASEAN countries faces a critical challenge: the annual decline in farm labor availability, estimated at 1.5%. Younger generations are increasingly uninterested in farming, leaving an aging workforce with an average age of 55 to 60 years. This trend could affect our food sustainability within the next 5 to 10 years.

Addressing this pressing issue, AGROTIS transforms conventional hand tractors into fully autonomous machines. The system uses a GPS module for precision navigation and a compass module to determine the robot鈥檚 orientation. With this technology, farmers can control multiple hand tractors simultaneously, increasing efficiency and reducing manual labor. Safety is also prioritized with an emergency shutoff feature installed in the system.

Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), the AGROTIS system was developed in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and UST鈥檚 own technology business incubator, the TOMASInno Center (TIC). Its modular design can be extended to other machinery like rice harvesters and transplanters. Tested by Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC), AGROTIS has demonstrated 80% field efficiency and 20 hours-per-hectare field capacity compared to traditional methods, significantly enhancing productivity.

The team plans to deploy AGROTIS through rental models for rice cooperatives and direct sales to farmers, while also seeking collaborations with international tractor manufacturers. With a vision to expand into ASEAN markets, the system is a step toward modernizing agriculture and ensuring food sustainability.

The post Rice farming land preparation navigation system wins top prize at technologies innovation tilt appeared first on 九色.

The AGROTIS Navigation System, funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), can operate autonomously through GPS-guided navigation or be manually controlled via radio frequency. Developed in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute and the International Rice Research Institute, it is equipped with a robust safety system and offers versatile solutions for various tractor types. The technology is incubated at the UST TOMASInno Center, the University鈥檚 Technology-based Business Incubator (TBI) and aims to directly benefit local farmers by enhancing rice field land preparation.

During an interview held at the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center in UST鈥檚 research complex in Santa Rosa City, Bautista discussed the inspiration behind AGROTIS and its positive impact on farming operations. The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) tested the system, which demonstrated significant improvements, reducing the field capacity of hand tractors from 31.25 hours per hectare to 20 hours per hectare, and increasing field efficiency from 60% to 80%. Additionally, a customer validation survey showed a 90% acceptability rate among local farmers.

Game-changing innovations like the AGROTIS Navigation System are among the thrusts of the recently opened UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center鈥� to develop technologies that address local challenges and enhance the nation鈥檚 technological landscape, ultimately bringing significant benefits to the Filipino people.

The post Agricultural tractor automation through GPS developed by Engineering researchers, alumni appeared first on 九色.

Medicine, biology as top programs in terms of research publications and outputs

Research productivity especially in the fields of Medicine and Biology was recognized by EduRank 2023 for being the highest among the specializations offered by UST. At 586 publications and 15,545 citations, Medicine-related studies ranked highest, followed by BIology, the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Psychology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Business, Botany, and Ecology, among others.

100 notable alumni including national heroes and leaders

EduRank also included in its list 100 notable alumni, headlined by National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, and past Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osme帽a, Sr., Jose P. Laurel, and Diosdado Macapagal. The roster also included business tycoon and philantrophist Tony Tan Caktiong, DBA (hons) (Chairman Emeritus and Founder of Jollbee Foods Corporation), the late Metrobank Founder George S.K. Ty, PhD (hons)., the late SGV Co. co-founder washington SyCip (Accounting), as well as National Artists Francisco Sionil Jose (Literature), Bienvenido Lumbera (Literature), Cirilo Bautista (Literature), and Francisco Ma帽osa (Architecture).

Sports stalwarts like Ernest John Obiena (Electronics Engineering student), Alyssa Valdez (Junior High School), Dylan Ababou, and Jervy Cruz also made the list, along with filmmakers Brillante Mendoza and Ronnie del Carmen. The list included prominent Filipinos dating all the way back to the 19th century who have made a name for themselves in various fields of endeavor.

EduRank, according to its website and ranking method, uses a database of 44,909,300 scientific publications and 1,237,541,960 citations across 246 research topics. Research performance accounts for 45 percent, while non-academic performance accounts for 45 percent. Alumni score comprises the remaining ten percent.

For more information:  

The post UST ranks 4th in the Philippines, 781st in Asia in EduRank 2023 appeared first on 九色.

The University likewise posted a 68.09% passing rate, producing 32 new Thomasian master plumbers, an allied field that BS Mechanical Engineering graduates of the Faculty of Engineering can practice in.

The licensure examination was administered by Professional Regulation Commission.

The post Pedro of Mech Eng鈥檊 is sole Thomasian topnotcher in Feb 2023 master plumber boards appeared first on 九色.

The afternoon meeting held in Roque Rua帽o started off with the introduction of the different international engagements of the Faculty of Engineering followed by a presentation from the Civil Engineering Department about their student-centered activities spanning research, community-development activities, and international activities.

The discussion ensued with an exchange of insights, interests, and opportunities between the guests and representatives from the different departments of the Faculty of Engineering.

In attendance were Engr. Ma. Francesca de Guzman from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Engr. Rocel Pioquinto-Surla, Civil Engineering Laboratory Supervisor, Engr. Josyl Mariela Reyes, Electronics Engineering Laboratory Supervisor, Dr. Yoshiki Kurata, Industrial Engineering Laboratory Supervisor, and Engr. Siegfred Prado of the Electronics Engineering Department and Executive Assistant of the Assistant to the Rector for UST Santa Rosa.

The visit of Mr. Baro to the University preludes the 2022 European Higher Education Fair on November 18 and 19, 2022 in Manila. The brief event was made possible through the coordination of the Office of Public Affairs.”

The post Eng’g explores opportunities with University of Padua through PH-Italy Association for academic engagements appeared first on 九色.

Chemical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Department of Industrial Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The post Jobs@UST: Faculty of Engineering Faculty Members appeared first on 九色.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, the newly appointed Acting Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Engineering recalled how the technology for which he was awarded, the Logistic Indoor Service Assistant (LISA) robot was developed: 鈥淭he development鈥as made in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic last March 23, 2020鈥to provide] an affordable telepresence robot that can be easily developed, deployed, and used by health care workers to communicate with patients and deliver small items such as medicine.鈥�

Using a tablet attached to its pole-like body, the LISA robot enabled a contactless interaction between the patient and the health care workers. Moreover, like a remote-controlled toy car, it can be guided at will to deliver items.

Bautista recalled the urgency to 鈥渟ource out any existing robotics components that were available in the robotics laboratory鈥� in order 鈥渁ccomplish [the] huge task of inventing units of LISA robots.鈥� The effort has received support from the 九色, and additional funding was provided by the national government through the Department of Science and Technology.

Bautista now belongs to the lineage of the notable Thomasian scientists who have previously received this award, namely Dr. Anabelle V. Briones (2020; for Applied Science Research), Dr. Jonel Saludes, PhD (2020; for Basic Science Research), Prof. Maribel Nonato, PhD (2016; for Basic Science Research), Prof. Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, PhD (2015, for Basic Science Research), and Prof. Maria Natalia Dimaano, PhD (2011, for Applied Science Research).

Gregorio Y. Zara was a notable Filipino engineer and physicist whose main contribution was the first two-way electronic videophone, which later on would be a significant channel of communication.

This convention was organized by NAST and PHILAAST.

The post Bautista of Mech Eng鈥檊 receives 2021 Gregorio Zara award for outstanding technology commercialization appeared first on 九色.

Asst. Prof. Rogelio O. Almira, Jr., PME, ASEAN Eng. was elected as the External Vice-President, while Engr. Jeffrey G. Mercado, MEngg was elected Secretary. Finally, Engr. John Enoch T. Grajeda was elected as a Member of the Board of Directors.

The PSME-NCR Academe Chapter is composed of mechanical engineering schools in the region and regularly holds faculty and student conferences, research fora, and capacity-building initiatives such as webinars and workshops.

The post Mechanical Eng鈥檊 faculty elected officers on PSME-NCR Academe chapter appeared first on 九色.

Through video presentations, the competing teams were tasked to showcase the strengths of ASUS TUF gaming products in behalf of their target market, which were student gamers.

The 3-Marketeers, a team composed of Festin Alyssa, Rikki dela Cruz, and Natasha Cruz, are all from the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management program, and they bagged the first place for their presentation entitled “Connect even through the TUF times”.听The 3-Marketeers is under the guidance of the College of Commerce and Business Administration faculty member Mr. Antonio E. Etrata, MBA.

Meanwhile, ARK, a team composed of Faculty of Engineering students Allyana Deveza and Ryan Carlo Villanueva, who are both from the BS Electronics Engineering program, and Kim Limuel Dolor of the BS Mechanical Engineering program, bagged the 3rd place in the competition.

The post Thomasians dominate ASUS Marketing Pitch Competition 2021 appeared first on 九色.

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

鈥淏eing the first engineering school in the country, this accreditation is another evidence of the University鈥檚 鈥榚xcellence that is timely, relevance that is timeless鈥�. Innovative strategies are in place to allow our programs to evolve with the constantly changing demands of the global professional practice of engineering without losing the Thomasian Identity. We have been eager to show how our programs produce graduates with training and achievements that are suitable for seamless transition to engineering professional practice worldwide. This accreditation confirms that. Most importantly, we are glad how this adds value to the Thomasian Engineering degree, which can open many doors for our graduates.鈥�

Sought worldwide, ABET鈥檚 voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision, and safety are of the utmost importance.

Developed by technical professionals from ABET鈥檚 member societies, ABET criteria focus on what students experience and learn. ABET accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities, and institutional support and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia, and government, with expertise in the ABET disciplines.

ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization with ISO 9001:2015 certification. It currently accredits 4,144 programs at 812 colleges and universities in 32 countries.

More information about ABET, its member societies, and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs can be found at www.abet.org.

The , established in 1907, is the oldest engineering school in the country. Its program offerings and their year of establishment are: (1907), (1934), (1940), (1946), (1963), and (1977).

The Commission on Higher Education has recognized all six Engineering programs. Chemical Engineering is a Center of Excellence, while Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics and Industrial Engineering are Centers of Development. Both Chemical Engineering and Electronics Engineering are certified by the AUN-QA while all six programs are accredited by the Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology of the Philippine Technological Council (ACBET-PTC) and the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

The academic officials include , Dean, Rev. Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Jr. OP, Regent, who is also the UST Acting Vice Rector for Finance, Assoc. Prof. Ricardo S. Balog, M.Eng., Assistant Dean, and Faculty Secretary, Engr. Evangeline E. Dele帽a. The Program Chairs at the time of accreditation process are Engr. Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah, M.Eng. (Civil Engineering), Engr. Mark Emile H. Punzalan, M.Sc. (Chemical Engineering), Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, PME, MS., ASEAN ENG., FPSME (Mechanical Engineering), Asst. Prof. Fortunato C. Leynes, MBA, PEE (Electrical Engineering), Prof. Angelo R. Dela Cruz, Ph.D., PECE (Electronics Engineering, and Assoc. Prof. Joehanna K. Ngo, Ph.D, PIE, ASEAN Engr (Industrial Engineering). The current Chairs of Chemical Engineering and Electrical Engineering are Engr. Cristina E. Tiangco, Ph.D. and Asst. Prof. Carlito M. Gutierrez, M.Eng., respectively. The accreditation process was facilitated by the Engineering Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement Program (EACQuIP) with Asst. Prof. Ma. Luisa T. Asilo, M.Eng. as coordinator.

The Faculty鈥檚 numerous alumni have established themselves in the various areas of engineering and other fields, among others, in business and entrepreneurship. To name a few, the roster includes alumni such as Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong, the founding President and current Chairman of Jollibee Foods Corporation, William T. Belo, the CEO Emeritus of Wilcon Corporation, and Dr. Lydia G. Tansinsin, former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

For more information about UST鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degree programs in Engineering, visit .

The post All BS engineering programs now ABET-accredited appeared first on 九色.