Batangas State University students win 2nd place at World Engineering Day Hackathon 2025

Chemical engineering students from Batangas State University won second place at the World Engineering Day Hackathon 2025 in Paris, France on March 4.

Team ECO BEADa is composed of Trixie Mae Parañaque, Abraham Quintia Jr., Krishna Laida Sadsad, and Charisse May Castillo. They were mentored by Rhonalyn Maulion, an associate professor at the BatStateU chemical and food engineering department.

The team, which competed against thousands of participants from more than 90 countries, presented a project that seeks to help farmers deal with water contamination.

“The team introduced an innovative solution using phosphate-absorbing beads made from eelgrass biochar and kaolinite clay—natural, abundant materials that purify wastewater and convert harmful phosphates into eco-friendly fertilizers,” BatStateU said.

“This solution aims to revitalize the soil, improve agricultural sustainability, and protect the environment, empowering farmers to combat water contamination, soil depletion, and the broader impacts of climate change.”

The statement added that farmers will also save money because the total treatment cost is only P750 for 25 kg of biochar fertilizer, while synthetic fertilizers can cost up to P1,730.

“The team's solution is designed to be cost-effective and scalable, offering an affordable, community-driven approach to improving water quality and soil fertility in farming communities,” it added.

“Additionally, the team has incorporated farmer education programs, including community-based water treatment systems, to ensure long-term success and empower local communities.”

Team ECO BEADa was awarded a €2,000 prize for the project, which is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land.

ManufacturingBox from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, won first place, while Team Torpedo from the University of Hertfordshire/PSB Academy in the United Kingdom placed third for their Smart Irrigation Monitoring System (SIMS).

The People’s Choice Award went to AgriConnect, a digital platform for small-scale farmers developed by students from Ghana and France.

Entries were judged based on the following criteria:

• application of engineering knowledge
• originality
• use of digital tools and new technologies
• contribution to the UN SDGs
• successful collaboration

The global competition was supported by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), UNESCO, and Engineers Without Borders International (EWB-I). — VBL, GMA Integrated News