Committed to empowering the youth for a sustainable future, NOVUS and TAJARA Leisure and Hospitality Group, organized this year’s ENVision Case Competition with the theme “Sustainable Food Systems in Hospitality and Tourism”. A qualifying round of submissions along with a series of informative workshops were done leading up to the final conference held on July 13 in the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Conference Center.

This year’s competition challenged high school and college students to reimagine current food systems and create a solution that enables the industry to lessen food waste and improve food production without compromising the welfare of society and the environment.

Through this competition, field experts recognized such innovative solutions through proposals from 11 young-minded groups of finalists across the Philippines. A diverse range of ingenious approaches, such as the implementation of artificial reefs and the utilization of biogas to mitigate food waste, highlighted the different methods available for establishing a sustainable environment. 

ENVision’s culminating event opened with remarks from Mx. Cyndy Jarabata, CEO of TAJARA Hospitality & Leisure, wherein she detailed the relevance and impact of the competition and the topic at hand. She was followed by Mx. Caleb Uy, College Admissions Lead of AIM, who showcased the importance of involving technological innovation in education. Together, they emphasized that innovation is the key to the sustainable transformation of society. 

Afterwards, the presentation of proposals began. Several contestants were not new to NOVUS and TAJARA events, having participated in their previous competitions. These contestants returned with extensive experience and determination to excel with a deepened understanding of sustainable practices. Their continuous involvement showcased their dedication to creating a positive change in the hospitality sector. The insights they gained allowed them to create more refined and impactful solutions, underscoring the skills they developed through TAJARA's and NOVUS' initiatives.

Team “The Serve” secured the top spot with their groundbreaking solution to food waste. Their proposal to convert food waste into biogas for powering commercial kitchens and electric chafing dishes captured the judges' attention. Their comprehensive presentation, which included a Feasibility Analysis, Problem Statements, Marketing Strategies, Digital Model Prototypes, and thorough calculations and equations, undoubtedly impressed the judges. Additionally, the team's composed and detailed responses during the Q&A portion ultimately helped them secure their win. 

Other participants imparted the significance of promoting and enforcing solutions to food waste. They believe that it's counter-productive to label it as "waste" because similar to their proposal and many others presented, there are numerous potential uses for food waste that have just not yet been put into practice.

Overall, the ENVision 2024 Case Competition showed the potential of the youth to create transformative change in hospitality and tourism. Participants presented innovative solutions to food waste, from converting it into biogas to repurposing resources. This demonstrates that the ingenuity of the youth, paired with innovative technologies, can effectively address global challenges.

With immense support from TAJARA Hospitality, NOVUS, and AIM, the competition put into focus the vital role of nurturing young minds. Together, these organizations opened doors for a sustainable future by giving the youth a platform to showcase their unique ideas. The ENVision 2024 Case Competition has shown the importance of guiding young innovators to lead the way towards a more sustainable and better world.