By Karren Jay G. Asgar

(From left to right) BS Entrepreneurship students Reven Cuarez, Camille Torrento, Merrell Hope Becite, Cristal Jane Sanz, and Princes Nicole Cabalquinto with Prof. Rae Marie Leong-on (BS Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator) in the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference 2025 Iloilo Forum.

Five BS Entrepreneurship students from Central Philippine University’s (CPU) College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) took home the top prize at the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference (HIC) 2025 Iloilo Forum’s Ignition Session, held on September 12, 2025. The event, hosted at the SSB Hall of ISAT University, brought together students, researchers, professionals, and faculty from interdisciplinary fields to “Knowledge Manufacture the Intersection of Research Horizons in the Visayas.”

The Ignition Session, which had a hackathon-like format, challenged participants to propose innovative solutions related to the theme, “Sustainable Gastronomy: Technology for Food, Culture, and Tourism in Western Visayas.” The CPU students’ winning proposal stood out among the rest, earning them a ₱5,000 cash prize from RenDewTech and a one-year free incubation package from CPUGAD TBI.

The Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference 2025 Iloilo Forum was organized by Leave a Nest Philippines, with co-organizers ISAT U and Kwadra TBI. The Ignition Session was made possible through partnerships with CPU, CPUGAD TBI, and RenDewTech.