By Aira A. Almonicar
ECE Department students and IECEP-CPU SC, together with TCT AR Foundation Integrated Farm School SHS students, gather for a photo opportunity.
On March 17, 2025, the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department of Central Philippine University (CPU) and its student organization, the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines – CPU Student Chapter (IECEP-CPU SC), successfully conducted an outreach program titled “Training-Workshop Outreach Program on Robotics, Precision & Smart Agriculture, and Visual Programming.” The event was held at Tiu Cho Teg – Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School in Jaro, Iloilo City, with the objective of introducing students to emerging technologies in agriculture and inspiring them to consider careers in engineering and technology.
In order to give attendees time to settle in comfortably, the event started with a registration period. This was followed by an opening prayer led by Aira A. Almonicar, Vice President for Education of IECEP-CPU SC. Engr. Marian Mie A. Alimo-ot then delivered the welcoming remarks, emphasizing the importance of technological integration in agriculture to address contemporary challenges.
The first lecture, delivered by Louise Angelo R. Lopera and Jeff Pablo O. Cocjin, IECEP CPU SC’s Vice President for External Affairs and Vice President for Finance, respectively, focused on Arduino and Visual Programming. They introduced the fundamentals of Arduino microcontrollers and how coding for electronic projects may be made easier using visual programming. After the presentation, students participated in the first workshop session, which included practical exercises including basic circuit design and Arduino programming with XOD. Prior to this session, the senior high school participants had been organized into ten teams, each guided by ECE students to ensure effective learning and collaboration. This interactive workshop provided participants with an opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge.
Participants attend the Lecture on Precision and Smart Agriculture, where innovative agricultural practices and technologies were discussed to enhance efficiency and sustainability in farming.
After a lunch break, the program resumed with a lecture on Precision and Smart Agriculture discussed by Aira A. Almonicar and Niño Armell Salazar, IECEP-CPU SC’s Media Director. This session highlighted the role of automation, sensors, and data-driven decision-making in improving agricultural productivity. The speakers introduced the IoT-based monitoring module developed for CPU ARUGA Farm, showcasing how technology can optimize greenhouse and aquaponics systems. Additionally, they presented ongoing thesis projects at CPU ARUGA Farm that focus on precision and smart agriculture.
The second workshop followed, where participants worked on projects related to both general and agriculture-specific concepts. The senior high school students, still grouped into their respective teams, continued to collaborate under the guidance of the ECE students. Each team developed their own systems based on the concepts they had learned. The session concluded with group presentations, where two teams received special recognition for ‘Best in Presentation’ and ‘Best Idea.’ The event concluded with closing remarks delivered by Fredric Mitch P. Biso, President of IECEP-CPU SC, who expressed gratitude to the participants, fellow ECE students, and Tiu Cho Teg – Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School. The program ended with a group photo session, capturing the memorable experience shared by all attendees.
The outreach program successfully achieved its objectives of educating students on robotics, precision and smart agriculture, and visual programming. The event also highlighted the significance of integrating technology in agriculture to address sustainability and productivity challenges.