Two teams of undergraduate students from the Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences (ALLS), represented by Dagny Eran M. Yenko and Pamela Anne C. Serrano from 5 BS CS-DGDD, participated in the Asian Universities Student Entrepreneurship Ideation Challenge (AUSEIC) from March 9 to 10, 2024 at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK).
On the first day, the students attended an “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Talk Series and further talks at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) that spotlight the burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence in education, featuring speakers who shared their insights and journeys with their companies and innovative products.
The final pitches and award ceremony was conducted on the second day, where students from various universities in South East Asia showcased their innovative ideas that align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Representatives from ALLS presented their theses related to marine biodiversity education and raising awareness on the need for deep-rooted solutions to food insecurity.
The event shed light on the remarkable breadth of initiatives worldwide dedicated to improving education. The emphasis on entrepreneurship made it apparent that the realms beyond computer science, like marketing and operations, are crucial to sustain the game and reach a wider audience. Yet, it also underscored the challenge of reconciling a commitment to making quality education accessible with the practical realities of sustaining such endeavors, be it in time, effort, maintenance, or other associated costs, thus highlighting the ongoing quest for innovative solutions to maximize educational impact.
For making their participation possible, Dagny and Pam would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Maria Mercedes Rodrigo, head of the Ateneo Laboratory for Learning Sciences (ALLS), for her valuable guidance, and Mr. Joseph Benjamin Ilagan, Information Technology Entrepreneurship Program Director, for his technical mentorship. They are also deeply thankful for the SOSE Dean, ALLS, and The Education University of Hong Kong for their financial support.
