CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology Cebu is inviting technology developers, startup builders and those who are into digital technology to use the DOST Innovation Hub in Cebu.
The Innovation Hub aims to provide a space for collaboration among stakeholders in emerging technology, startup founders, researchers, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts to gather and share insights, and provide support and capacity building.
“This facility can be your laboratory, can be your collaborative space, can be your catalyst, and can be a pathway for experience that opens opportunities and provides solutions to emerging technology,” said Rino Dominic Cabungcal, science research specialist II of DOST Cebu and Innovation Hub manager.
The Innovation Hub at the DOST Cebu Provincial Science and Technology Office in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, was inaugurated on Dec. 2, 2024.
The hub recently hosted its first bootcamp on blockchain technology, CORE Connect Bootcamp, where 15 technology enthusiasts, startup founders and innovators participated in two-day workshops and real-time coding.
The participants also learned about decentralized supply chains and innovative ecosystem projects.
“This initiative aims to bridge the gap between technology and real-world applications by fostering innovation and collaboration,” Cabungcal said.
“We had 15 participants who were eager to explore blockchain technology and integrate it into their projects and businesses. It was a diverse mix. It allowed discussions, collaborations and networking to the opportunities among the attendees,” he added.
Blockchain technology
Cabungcal said blockchain technology is defined as a digital logbook or, in simple terms, a notebook that contains relevant data and information.
“If we think about blockchain, it is a digital logbook. We just have to imagine a logbook that has been used in a guardhouse to check with our attendants,” he said.
“Imagine that you are passing this notebook to the classroom, but instead of one person holding the notebook, it is multiple people having this copy of the notebook. And no one can erase it; no one can change it without everyone agreeing,” he added.
Having a highly secured digital logbook that records transactions and data plays a vital role in ensuring transparency, security and trustworthiness in the digital space.
Blockchain technology is important as industries currently face a challenge in gaining quality and trustworthy information amid various cybersecurity threats.
“Yes, it is very helpful because in the entire industry, we need trustworthy information and data sets that can also be transparent, which are needed by both the public and private sectors,” Cabungcal explained.
For 3rd-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student Adrian Alquizar, the CORE Connect Bootcamp was a great help, especially for IT students like him, as they are still learning about the concepts and systems of blockchain technology.
“They introduced us to what is Web 3, gina introduce nila sa amoa kung unsa ang next generation sa Web 3. Gitudloan mi nila unsay solidity, which is the most common language nga gigamit when it comes to blockchain technology,” Alquizar shared. (They introduced to us the next generation, Web 3. We learned about solidity, which is the most common language used in blockchain technology.)
Alquizar said he fully enjoyed his experience during the entire duration of the activity.
“Overall, nalingaw rasad mi kay ang mentors namu kay maayo kaayo motudlo e-explain gyud nilag maayo kung unsa gyuy mga processes sa blockchain,” he added. (We enjoyed the workshop and we learned much because our mentors were really good in explaining the processes involved in blockchain.)
The bootcamp also pushed Alquizar to explore the possibility of pursuing a career as a tech developer.
“Ang bootcamp kay it was an eye-opener para sa amoa. Gi-introduce nila ang new paradigm sa technology. They also taught us that there are a lot of opportunities when it comes to blockchain development. Kami, as IT students, medyo ma-excite mi ana kay diha man mi padung ig human namog eskwela,” he said. (The bootcamp was an eye-opener for us as it introduced a new paradigm in technology. As IT students, we were excited about this as this is the career that awaits us after we finish our studies.)
Future bootcamps
DOST Region 7 is eyeing to hold more boot camps across the region to cater to more technology enthusiasts and stakeholders in the blockchain community.
“We have planned multiple boot camps not only here in Cebu, but also with other provinces and throughout the regions, throughout the year. But as of the moment, our initiative always depends on the stronger partnership with other stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem,” Cabungcal said.
He said there is a need to support the tech community in the region amid the fast-paced innovations.
“AI is emerging, and through this technology, we want to keep in touch. We want to touch base with those who are really passionate, those who are really passionate about the emerging technologies, and bring them into the innovation hub, doing the bootcamp,” he added. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
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