UP students win at the APRU x Google Tech Policy Hackathon 2025

Students from the University of the Philippines (UP) were among the winners of the APRU x Google Tech Policy Hackathon 2025, an initiative of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) organized in partnership with Google, data.org, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) FinTech Lab.

Held in Bangkok from September 30 to October 2, 2025, the hackathon brought together 299 students from 40 universities across 15 economies, 56 students in 12 finalist teams representing 14 universities from nine economies, and mentors from leading institutions, including Google, NEC, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, NUS, Arizona State University, and Yonsei University. Students took on the challenge of developing innovative technological solutions and interdisciplinary policy proposals addressing some of the world’s most pressing digital challenges, among which are:

  • Digital poverty and minority inclusion
  • Online security and scam prevention
  • Support for SMEs in the digital economy
  • Workforce development and education access
  • Financial inclusion for the underserved communities
  • Disaster resilience through technology

Credit Pass, jointly developed by UP, the Asian Institute of Management, and the University of San Carlos, received an Honorable Mention. The team included Darmae M. Tan (Master of Information Systems, UP), Atasha Nicole G. Bahande (BS Management Minor in Finance, UP Cebu), and James Gabriel Elijah P. Ty (BS Computer Science, UP Cebu).

An Honorable Mention was also awarded to UP Tacloban’s Project AiGRI, which aims to create a real-world impact for Filipino farmers. The team is composed of Angela Denise Z. Almazan (Computer Science), Desirre Bless I. Barbosa (Computer Science), Honey Joy B. Mora (Political Science), Norman Enrico C. Eulin (Computer Science), and Rolf Genree L. Garces (Computer Science).

The initiative reflects APRU’s mission to connect academia, underserved communities, civil society organizations, and the technology sector in advancing digital literacy and addressing policy challenges. It seeks to empower students to take an active role in shaping a more inclusive and resilient digital future.

According to APRU, the winning UP students “demonstrated outstanding creativity and commitment in tackling some of Southeast Asia’s most pressing digital challenges — from financial inclusion and digital trust to SME support and disaster resilience. Their work exemplifies the power of principled innovation, where technology meets purpose.”

Congratulations to the winners!

Photo by APRU

UP students win at the APRU x Google Tech Policy Hackathon 2025

Students from the University of the Philippines (UP) were among the winners of the APRU x Google Tech Policy Hackathon 2025, an initiative of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) organized in partnership with Google, data.org, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) FinTech Lab.

Held in Bangkok from September 30 to October 2, 2025, the hackathon brought together 299 students from 40 universities across 15 economies, 56 students in 12 finalist teams representing 14 universities from nine economies, and mentors from leading institutions, including Google, NEC, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, NUS, Arizona State University, and Yonsei University. Students took on the challenge of developing innovative technological solutions and interdisciplinary policy proposals addressing some of the world’s most pressing digital challenges, among which are:

  • Digital poverty and minority inclusion
  • Online security and scam prevention
  • Support for SMEs in the digital economy
  • Workforce development and education access
  • Financial inclusion for the underserved communities
  • Disaster resilience through technology

Credit Pass, jointly developed by UP, the Asian Institute of Management, and the University of San Carlos, received an Honorable Mention. The team included Darmae M. Tan (Master of Information Systems, UP), Atasha Nicole G. Bahande (BS Management Minor in Finance, UP Cebu), and James Gabriel Elijah P. Ty (BS Computer Science, UP Cebu).

An Honorable Mention was also awarded to UP Tacloban’s Project AiGRI, which aims to create a real-world impact for Filipino farmers. The team is composed of Angela Denise Z. Almazan (Computer Science), Desirre Bless I. Barbosa (Computer Science), Honey Joy B. Mora (Political Science), Norman Enrico C. Eulin (Computer Science), and Rolf Genree L. Garces (Computer Science).

The initiative reflects APRU’s mission to connect academia, underserved communities, civil society organizations, and the technology sector in advancing digital literacy and addressing policy challenges. It seeks to empower students to take an active role in shaping a more inclusive and resilient digital future.

According to APRU, the winning UP students “demonstrated outstanding creativity and commitment in tackling some of Southeast Asia’s most pressing digital challenges — from financial inclusion and digital trust to SME support and disaster resilience. Their work exemplifies the power of principled innovation, where technology meets purpose.”

Congratulations to the winners!

Photo by APRU