2 UM studes to represent country in Hult Prize 2018
An opportunity to meet and learn with the world’s top business developers this coming July was bagged by the only Philippine representatives to the prestigious Hult Prize 2018 in Ecuador, South America.
Neil Anthony Jamili and Prasef Karl Andres Cortes, both taking up Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of Mindanao’s College of Engineering Education, with their invention under Srad Green Solutions called the Pyroclave Solaris machine, which converts medical waste for agricultural use will traverse thousands of miles as their reward for the efforts they have made for their invention.
Their teammates, Renzal D. Jamad, BS in ME, and Reil S. Romero, BS in Entrep; with Engr. Ramiro Emerson Amon, ChE as their coach, while they will not be able to join the trip to Ecuador, are equally thrilled at how far and their project has come.
Armed with their data and know-how, Jamili and Cortes wowed the judges at both legs of the presentation and deliberation.
“We both were nervous, but we couldn’t let it get the best of us,” said Jamili.
Cortes and Jamili are all smiles for their presentation to the judges.
Their confidence and sharpness in answering the questions led them to best representatives from 49 Ivy league universities around the world to earn a spot for the finals, to be held in Ashridge Castle, London, from July to September.
They will meet with top business personalities during the series of lectures and presentations, and if victorious, they will earn the United Nations million-dollar grant that will allow them to develop their technology further and get a head start on their business plan.
While there are existing technologies available to dispose of medical waste, it is most often detrimental to the environment as it produces toxic waste particles and carbon emission.
Pyroclave Solaris however, utilizes solar energy and through specialized mechanisms, medical wastes are safely and effectively disposed of, all without producing emissions.
It’s an exciting time for the team that has brought various honors to the University of Mindanao; with their Pyroclave Solaris first making waves after it won in all the categories of the Inter-Mindanao Chemical Engineering Pitching competition, besting other teams from Mindanao State University, Xavier University, and Ateneo De Davao University.