Now on its 2nd year, the Pressure Cooker Challenge dubbed as the Mandaue City Scan Challenge 2018 is a collaborative activity of the Rotterdam University (The Netherlands), the University of San Carlos, the City of Mandaue, and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI).
The focus of the challenge is the Butuanon River which meanders through five barangays in Mandaue City. Eight Dutch and 16 USC students will work together in six teams for 10 days to analyze the quality of the river water, assess the plastic pollution, and raise awareness in the communities.
An opening ceremony was hosted by Mandaue City Mayor Hon. Luigi Quisumbing on November 12, 2018 at the Mandaue City Session Hall. Also present was Elizabeth Baumguard, Senior Program Officer of RAFI.
The first day of the River Scan Challenge introduced the students to the City of Mandaue and the Butuanon River. This whole-day event started with presentations from experts, namely Rick Heikoop (Living Labs Coordinator, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences) and Dr. Floris Boogard (Water Quality Monitoring Expert, Hanze University of Applied Sciences). Ar. Marlo Ocleasa (officer in-charge, Mandaue City Planning and Development Office) Ar. Araceli Barlam (officer in-charge, Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office) presented the Mandaue City Profile and the state of Butuanon River as well as engagements of the stakeholders in raising awareness. The overall picture of the MegaCebu Project was also presented by Ar. Joseph Michael Espina (Dean, USC School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design). An actual visit to the Butuanon River was conducted in the afternoon.
The USC representatives are Civil Engineering students, namely Jan Carl Abad, Leonard Borbon, Rachel Ann Castaneda, Matthew Dy, Emmanuel Nicholas Labuen, Jesi Martin Maglana, Hazel Olive Parmes, Charles Mari Ramos, Shiela Mae Terante, Alexandrea Yap, Ma. Luisa Zapanta, Chemistry students Keisha Dianne Achumbre and Adam Ramirez, and Biology students Peita Jovero, Yobert Juanillo, and Jodivine Navarosa.
The Rotterdam University representatives are Water Management students Sven Breukhoven, Marie-Clif Cazal, Mila Diemel, James Dudley-Owen, Floris Huisman, Eva Ijzerman, Mandy Kluts, and Moushan Lim.
Team advisers are Engr. Jonah Lee Bas, Engr. Kathrina Borgonia, Engr. Stephanie Canete, Leif Duncan Urdaneta, and Engr. Arnold Sab-a.
The six teams will present their innovative solutions at the 4th International River Summit on November 22-24, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Tags: Events, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology