BATANGAS CITY — Batangas State University (BatStateU), the Philippines’ National Engineering University, celebrates a momentous victory of its BS Chemical Engineering students at the World Engineering Day (WED) Hackathon 2025. Team ECO BEADa from BatStateU Alangilan, secured 2nd place in this prestigious global competition, hosted by UNESCO and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) on March 4 in Paris, France.
Led by mentor Assoc. Prof. Rhonalyn V. Maulion, the team members Trixie Mae V. Parañaque, Abraham F. Quintia Jr., Krishna Laida L. Sadsad, and Charisse May V. Castillo, bested over 3,000 participants from more than 90 countries, earning global recognition for their groundbreaking solution to address pressing environmental and agricultural challenges in the Philippines.
The ECO BEADa project, supported by BatStateU’s Center for Innovation in Engineering Education (CIEE), focuses on the growing crisis faced by Filipino farmers due to water contamination from untreated wastewater. 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. 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 project not only addresses the immediate agricultural challenges but also promotes long-term sustainability. 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. With a total treatment cost of just ₱750 per 25 kg of biochar fertilizer, the project provides a sustainable, low-cost alternative to synthetic fertilizers, typically costing up to ₱1,730.
“Our success at the WED Hackathon 2025 is a proud moment for BatStateU and for the Philippines,” said University President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo. “Team ECO BEADa has shown that through ingenuity and tenacity of Filipino engineers, we can help solve real-world problems and bring lasting positive change to communities, not just in the country but also across the globe,” he added.
The project’s approach also aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By addressing phosphate runoff and wastewater contamination, the project contributes to cleaner ecosystems, more sustainable agricultural practices, and a stronger, more resilient environment for farming communities. Additionally, the team has incorporated farmer education programs, including community-based water treatment systems, to ensure long-term success and empower local communities.
Themed “Shaping Our Sustainable Future Through Engineering,” the WED Hackathon 2025 attracted brilliant minds from around the world, with participants presenting innovative solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing issues. Team ECO BEADa stood out not only for their technical excellence but also for their commitment to sustainability and community empowerment.
In recognition of their outstanding achievement, the team was awarded a €2,000 prize for their impactful contribution to advancing sustainable solutions for a better world. Claiming the top spot, ManufacturingBox from the University of Twente, Netherlands, won first place, while Team Torpedo from the University of Hertfordshire/PSB Academy took third. Furthermore, the People’s Choice Award went to AgriConnect, a collaboration between Ghana and France.
For more information about the World Engineering Day Hackathon, please visit this link.
About Batangas State University, The National Engineering University
Batangas State University (BatStateU), the Philippines’ National Engineering University, by virtue of Republic Act No. 11694, has built a legacy of over 120 years in engineering education excellence. Recognized as the country’s largest engineering university, BatStateU The NEU has produced over 180 engineering board topnotchers, solidifying its reputation for academic distinction. Notably, BatStateU is the first state university with engineering programs accredited by the Philippine Technological Council through its Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (PTC-ACBET), and the first and, thus far, the only state university in the Philippines with engineering and computing programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Engineering Accreditation Commission and Computing Accreditation Commission. With a commitment to sustainability, BatStateU has earned global recognition, ranking as the 304th Most Sustainable University in the 2024 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Furthermore, BatStateU ranks 128th in the world for innovation according to the 2024 WURI rankings and is placed between 601st-800th globally in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, covering 2,152 universities across 125 countries.
