In line with its vision of building an empowered generation that actively contributes in solving real-world issues, NOVUS, along with its partner, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philippines, hosted the 2024 NOVUS Case Competition with the theme “Cultivating Connectedness Across Communities.” This year’s conference aimed to highlight the capability of education and transportation-related innovations in bridging diverse communities, especially the marginalized, together. Taking place throughout December 2023 to April 2024, the NOVUS Case Competition opened doors for high school students to showcase their talents and express thought-provoking solutions for pressing issues in modern society.

This year’s NOVUS Case Competition offered two categories: the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Research Proposal and Spoken Word Poetry. The STEM category challenged teams consisting of 3-5 students to present a concrete and research-based solution to a given case. Meanwhile, students under the Spoken Word Poetry category were tasked to create a short poem related to social action and were asked to submit a thorough annotation of their piece. All submitted outputs were then meticulously evaluated by a panel of judges. Out of the 178 registrants, the top ten teams and individuals in each category were invited to present their works in the onsite finals event. 

The culmination of the 2024 NOVUS Case Competition took place on April 6 in the ULI Library of the De La Salle University Rufino Campus in Taguig City. Keynote speakers included Mr. Mirus Ponon, founder and chairperson of the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network, as well as Ms. Toni Riotoc, an Ink Bowl Publishing’s Master awardee. On this day, the finalists were given the opportunity to present their solutions to an esteemed panel of judges as well as a chance to interact with other innovators with similar advocacies and passions. 

The day kicked off with the Spoken Word Poetry category, which was introduced by Ms. Divine Duran, the Executive Director of ULI Philippines, in her opening remarks. Each contestant then took turns in presenting their created poems. The finalists performed their pieces with overflowing emotion and conviction, effectively depicting their utmost care for their chosen advocacy. The judges for this category were Ms. Louise Lasala from Digital Edge Philippines, Ms. Humility Javier from ABS-CBN Star Cinema, and Ms. Natasha Navarro from Immaculate Conception Academy Greenhills. After careful deliberations by the judges, the winners claimed their respective awards and prizes. Mr. David Bonifacio, Managing Partner in TNBAura and Founder of Bridge Southeast Asia, then gave his closing remarks for this segment of the case competition.

SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

NOVUS Advocacy Award - Sean M. (Philippine Science High School) "Just Right Here, Manong"

Outstanding Poem Award - Leane V. (Multiple Intelligence International School) "Read Me A Book"

Honorable Mention Award - Martha T. (Ateneo de Cebu) "Beating the Heat"

On the other hand, the STEM Research Proposal finals began in the afternoon. The top ten teams presented their innovations to an esteemed panel of judges, namely Ms. Joanne Elmedolan from the Land and Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Ms. Cherie Gomintong from the University of the Philippines National Center For Transportation Studies, Ms. Christine Cerezo from the Department of Transportation, and NOVUS Executive Director Joaquin de Castro. Among all the impressive performances of the STEM teams, the judges eventually chose teams Lakbay Linang, Commuties, and 11:59 as the winners of the case competition. 

STEM AWARDS

NOVUS Innovation Award - Team Lakbay Linang: "Development of an AI-Personalized LMS Braille Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired Learners”

Outstanding Research Award - Team Commuties: "IOT-based solutions for Public Utility Buses in the Philippines

Honorable Mention Award - Team 11:59: "RFID-Based Ticketing Systems for Seaports in Central Visayas"

Aside from the participants and guest judges, much of the success of the NOVUS Case Competition can be attributed to the dedication and efforts of those behind the organization, most of whom are college and high school students themselves. “Every year, NOVUS’ projects are products of students seeking to solve issues beyond the classroom through bold new approaches,” says NOVUS Executive Director Joaquin de Castro, “and that’s true for both our contestants and members.” True to their vision, the NOVUS team continues to pave opportunities such as these for the youth to be a part of the solution to numerous world issues.

The conclusion of the competition, however, is not the end of innovation for these young pioneers. As put by the NOVUS Vice President for Externals Stephanie Lai during her moving closing remarks, “As you walk out of those doors, remember that it is not just the end of your NOVUS Case Competition journey, rather it is your beginning of becoming lifelong innovators dedicated to spark change in the world around you.”