Students from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and De La Salle University-Manila bagged the top prize at the first TCS Sustainathon Philippines by Tata Consultancy Services, a global IT services, consulting, and business solutions.

Their entry of the team Read-IO Works developed Read-IO, which designed a deep-learning enabled, digital game-based reading intervention centered on phonics and oral reading fluency. The invention gives way to evidence-based instruction as well as game-based assessments that are not only accessible for offline use but also leverage the gadget distribution initiatives of the Department of Education. The objective of Read-IO is to improve the students’ reading comprehension, spelling, letter-sound knowledge, and all the other indicators of literacy.

The team comprises of Jose Javier Lasala and Janos Lance Tiberio.

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“TCS Sustainathon Philippines showed us the extensive knowledge and passion of the younger generation to deliver solutions to improve the current situation of our education sector,” said Shiju Varghese, country head, TCS Philippines. “We, together with our partners, are all impressed with the work that we saw coming from these students and how they utilized technology for the better. We are looking forward to see what their initiatives can achieve and how these can help them and the country.”

Through TCS Sustainathon Philippines 2021, TCS hopes to encourage and empower the Filipino youth in using technology to explore solutions for these problems, which their generation experiences first-hand, and collaborate with local stakeholders such as businesses and schools.

Students from various parts of the Philippines pitched their proposed solutions for the local theme. Among the submissions, 10 groups successfully made it to the finals.

Education

The technologies developed by the teams involve web and mobile applications, wherein different programs are incorporated to provide convenience and flexibility in education.

SchoNEXT won second place. Prince Loven Abestano, Abe Apao, Esmael Amatonding, and Gwyneth Chiu explored the bounds of technology in their entry, where they seek to create a distraction-free, student-centered virtual environment for studying. Indeed, distance learning has brought in a huge change into how students learn today. As students study from their homes, an effective, self-regulated studying habit and system can go a long way—and this is what SchoNEXT aims to highlight with this virtual studying environment.

Third place went to GOLS: Gamified Online Learning Space delivered by Racquel Moran, Lance Sangcal, and Migs Ganzon. Their entry is about “gamifying” students’ online learning space which helps in initiating active thinking and peer-to-peer learning through interactive games. More than anything, learning is best done with peers where students can not only learn vital knowledge but develop values of teamwork and leadership.

The champion and second placer will also compete against the Sustainathon winners from Singapore and Malaysia at the TCS Sustainathon ASEAN finale later this year.