MSU-IIT Students Secure Silver at HCI International 2025 Competition

Students from the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) achieved notable recognition at the HCI International 2025 Student Design Competition, clinching the Silver Award during the event held from June 22 to June 27, 2025, at the Gothia Towers Hotel and the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden. Competing against 27 entries from prestigious institutions across 13 countries, the MSU-IIT team stood out among a total of 2,684 participants from 76 countries, showcasing their innovative efforts in user-centered technology design.

The HCI International Conference is recognized as one of the world's largest and most competitive forums for presenting cutting-edge innovations in human-computer interaction. The 2025 edition of the conference featured contributions from experts, scholars, and students, facilitated by 21 affiliated conferences and 9 global academic boards. The conference provided a platform for attendees to engage with the latest advancements in technology and design.

Representing MSU-IIT’s College of Health Sciences (CHS), the award-winning team comprised eight fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students: Marchell Rose Solana, Bhylle Gayle Pacina, Lou Viviene Basan, Jazzmine Wynne Lu, Mary Kylene Lalican, Riva Cristina Sanco, Queenie Lyn Mandang, and Shenna June Raper. Their project, titled “Triaginator: Shaping the Future of Emergency Care,” was designed to address critical challenges in emergency healthcare delivery.

The Triaginator project integrates mobile and kiosk-based applications, employing a clinically informed algorithm that assists healthcare providers in accurately assessing Emergency Severity levels. Key features of the system include mobile access for early triage, real-time hospital notifications, staff-assisted kiosks for patient registration, and automatic generation of identification wristbands. This project was developed under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Stefany Mae Caparida from the College of Computer Studies, with UI/UX refinement support from Ms. Miah Abduljabbar and structural feedback from Mr. Johnson Lam. The videography and editing were led by Tristan Listanco, whose contributions were pivotal in presenting the team's vision effectively.

Originally, the team faced a setback when their first project proposal was rejected; however, this challenge led to a stronger, more impactful initiative. The students identified overcrowding, miscommunication, and a lack of awareness in emergency rooms as significant issues informing their design. Their final output included features tailored for a fast-paced hospital environment, significantly enhancing the triage process.

The project received financial backing from key sponsors, including Dr. Erwin Frederick Roldan and the Philippine GBCB Foundation, Inc., represented by Mr. Christlamb Reae C. Vicente, alongside institutional support from MSU-IIT. The winners were announced during the Opening Plenary Session on June 24, 2025, where the MSU-IIT CHS team secured the silver medal, ranking second globally after a thorough evaluation by a nine-member jury representing countries such as Japan, China, the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, and Greece.

In addition to the CHS team, participants from the College of Computer Studies (CCS) and the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) also contributed to the event. A notable submission titled “Quantum Response” was presented by CCS students Gary Paolo Ong Macasieb, Andrew Earl Andres, John Heri Contrivida, and Gimar Escalante, reflecting MSU-IIT’s commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and global engagement.

MSU-IIT’s performance at the HCI International 2025 serves as a testament to the ingenuity, resilience, and innovative capabilities of its students on an international stage. This achievement not only highlights the institution's commitment to fostering talent in technology and design but also reinforces its role as a leader in advancing meaningful innovation within the global educational landscape.