“Reflect on your Ikigai”: Dr. Verzosa Noted at CEIT Exhibit, Techno-Pitch, In-House Review

Serving as the guest of honor and speaker, Dr. Debbie Marie Verzosa, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (VPRDE) of University of Southern Mindanao (USM) , emphasized the importance of Ikigai in innovation and research during the  College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) Exhibit, Techno-Pitch, and In-House Review held on May 15, 2025, at the USM Commercial Building.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to “a reason for living” or “a reason to get up in the morning.” It represents the joy and fulfillment that come from having a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

The event, themed “IE³: Innovate, Evaluate, Elevate, and Excel,” showcased the ingenuity of student researchers from various engineering and technology fields. Dr. Verzosa encouraged students to find value in their work by aligning it with their personal passion, skills, societal needs, and potential for financial reward.

“Find value in your thesis, reflect on your Ikigai, and transform your work into a gift for others. Consider the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what society needs, and what you can be paid for,”  the VPRDE remarked. She highlighted that the commitment to innovation is a continuous journey and not just a single event.

One of the main attractions was the Techno-Pitch segment, where students presented their innovative ideas and demonstrated prototypes. Dr. Verzosa commended the creativity and dedication displayed.

Meanwhile, USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, who led the opening ceremony along with Dr. Maricel G. Dayaday, Dean of CEIT, delivered an inspiring message to the participants. He praised the dedication, teamwork, and skills demonstrated by the students. He pointed out the importance of not only presenting innovative ideas, but also protecting their intellectual property.

“Each project here represents countless hours of dedication and collaboration. These are not just blueprints, but tangible concepts daring to become reality. However, showcasing your work also means being mindful of protecting your inventions,” Dr. Pimentel noted.

The program featured various categories, including pitching, in-house review, poster presentations, and exhibits from students in Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE), Civil Engineering (CE), Computer Engineering (CpE), Computer Science (ComSci), Electronic Engineering (EE), Information Systems (IS), and Library and Information Science (LIS).