By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr., StratCom Correspondent

Senior students of the MMSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) bagged third place in the Swiss Innovation Prize Competition hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines from November 19 to 21 at the Somerset Hotel, Makati City.

Efanne Felice Casil (BS Agriculture) and Jessa Ibon (BS Agribusiness) received a cash prize of Php 30,000 and a plaque for their win in the Sustainability category. Their coach, Mr. Christopher Demetrio Ruiz, a faculty member of the CAFSD Department of Agribusiness, along with Technology Business Incubator (TBI) chief Prof. Armie Sabugo and TBI mentor Engr. Eric Halabas, guided them throughout the competition.

The MMSU students will also be featured in the business journal of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Swiss Embassy. A total of 162 entries competed under three streams: digitalization, sustainability, and prosperity streams. 

In the competition, Casil and Ibon pitched their technology dubbed “MAIS: Revalorizing Corn Wastes to Solution,” an innovative approach that addresses groundwater contamination by using corn cobs and husks as natural purifying filters. 

The CAFSD students believe their entry clinched the third spot in the competition because it fits with the requirement of sustainability. This category covers technologies that reduce carbon emissions and wastes, adopt renewable energy resources, and promote circular economies, sustainable agriculture, and food systems. 

Ruiz said that before the final face-to-face pitching demonstration, the entries underwent an initial evaluation by the Swiss Embassy, and a subsequent review by prominent business leaders in the Philippines. 

“We were able to participate in the national competition through the recommendation of the MMSU Bannuar Technology Business Incubator and the CAFSD’s Department of Agribusiness which assisted the students in refining their project,” he added, thanking the MMSU administration for its valuable support to the team.   

Now in its second year, the Swiss Innovation Prize Competition serves as a platform for innovation and supports new ideas with the potential to drive economic growth and improve society. It serves as an avenue for young scholars, entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers to showcase their solutions and secure initial funding.