Isa si Ceejay Faala sa mga finalists sa Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025.
Si Ceejay ay estudyante ng Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Binalbagan Campus sa Negros Occidental.
Ang kanyang entry sa kumpetisyon ay ang pen-sized digital microscope na tinawag niyang “pencroscope.”
Yari ito sa discarded highlighter pen at iba pang recycled materials, gaya ng scrap electrical devices.
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Ang THE ay isang global organization na nagpo-provide ng information and rankings, a.k.a. “World University Rankings,” tungkol sa mga unibersidad sa buong mundo.
Ang assessment ng THE ay batay sa pagtuturo, research, international outlook, at maging knowledge transfer ng unibersidad.
Kinikilala ito bilang isa sa “most authoritative sources for evaluating higher education institutions globally.”
Ang mga magwawagi sa THE Awards Asia 2025 ay iaanunsiyo sa pamamagitan ng isang ceremony na idaraos sa April 22 sa Macau, China.
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LONE PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY THAT QUALIFIED FOR RESEARCH PROJECT OF THE YEAR: STEM CATEGORY”
Sa inilabas na pahayag ng CHMSU noong January 23, ang invention ni Ceejay na may pamagat na “Learning with Innovated Microscope: Addressing Instrument Gap in Biology Class” ay para sa Research Project of the Year: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Ang CHMSU ang tanging eskuwelahan sa Pilipinas na shortlisted sa Research Project of the Year: STEM category.
May walo pang unibersidad na nakapasok sa category na nagmula sa Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, at Turkiye.
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FILIPINO STUDENT’S INVENTION, A LOT CHEAPER THAN TYPICAL MICROSCOPE
Si Ceejay ay nag-aaral ng Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, major in Science.
Nasa ikatlong taon na siya sa kolehiyo.
Tinutulungan siya ng kanyang research adviser na si G. Alberto De la Cruz sa pagde-develop ng pencroscope.
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Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni Ceejay na ang pencroscope ay maaaring i-connect sa mobile phone o kaya ay sa television set.
Sampung beses din itong mura kumpara sa tipikal na microscope.
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Aniya, naisipan niyang imbentuhin ang pencroscope dahil sa kakapusan niya ng pera na pambili ng microscope na gagamitin niya sa kanyang pag-aaral.
Sa kasalukuyan ay tinutulungan si Ceejay ng CMHSU sa paghahanda ng mga dokumento para maiparehistro ang patent ng pencrosope sa Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
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FILIPINO STUDENT HUMBLED AND MOTIVATED BY HIS INVENTION
Sa kanyang Facebook post last January 22, sinabi ni Ceejay na isang malaking karangalan at labis niyang ikinagagalak na nakasama ang kanyang unibersidad sa THE Awards Asia 2025.
Aniya, published as is: “I am beyond honored and thrilled to share that Carlos Hilado Memorial State University [CHMSU] has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards Asia 2025 under the prestigious category of Research Project of the Year: STEM!"
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Dagdag pa ni Ceejay: “Out of over 10,000 universities across Asia, CHMSU; The only university in the Philippines has earned a spot in this highly competitive category, and my study about PENCROSCOPE has been recognized as a significant contributor to this incredible achievement.
“To see our efforts acknowledged on such a prestigious international platform is both humbling and motivating.
“I am deeply grateful to my mentors, research collaborators, and everyone who believed in the vision of the PENCROSCOPE, as this recognition inspires me to continue innovating and contributing to science and education.
“This proud moment for CHMSU and our community serves as a testament to how creativity, determination, and passion can make a mark in the global academic landscape, driving us closer to a brighter future through research and innovation.”
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