LAST academic year, The Bedan Information Technology Society (BITS), alongside the newly founded Junior Bedan Engineering Society (JBES), led a formative ripple of innovative events and partnerships that set into motion numerous breakthroughs both in the academic and professional field within and beyond the School of Engineering and Technology (SET).

     BITS has spearheaded a variety of events, with NovaSynth being a first-time initiative. Despite the event being established only in the last academic year, the organization successfully laid down the groundwork for integrating the ethical use of artificial intelligence within the academic community. This groundbreaking seminar was held in coordination with the Office of the Prefect of Student Discipline, helping to broaden perspectives and spark meaningful conversations on the responsible application of AI in education.

     “SET Week is our most notable accomplishment as it brought together students from different courses and strengthened our community,” Yuri Morrison (III-BSIT),  president of BITS, shared. For him, the event helped break down barriers between programs and created opportunities for students to connect. Through the events, it fostered a healthier and more united environment as SET has the smallest population. 

     For the JBES, the previous academic year marked a pivotal first step in its establishment. They actively forged connections with other institutions and organizations. 

     Under the organization’s initiative,  students in Electronics Engineering achieved affiliation with the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines. “Securing our affiliation with the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP) was a defining achievement for our Electronics Engineering students. While it’s not the first affiliation in San Beda’s history, it’s the first under our current program,” Karl Ng (II-BSECE), President of JBES,  shared.

     Among many landmark achievements, the most notable was the establishment and continuous refinement of its foundational engineering and IT curricula. The initial program assessments were also accomplished, highlighting SET’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education. 

     “We are actively building our research culture, addressing the limited research output by focusing on foundational local research, encouraging faculty participation in methodology workshops, and leveraging conference presentations as initial steps towards peer-reviewed outputs,” Engr. Jerry V. Turingan, Dean of SET, said. One of the ongoing challenges is attracting top-caliber faculty and increasing student enrollment. 

     With a clear vision guiding its path, a dedicated community fueling its progress, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, SET is rapidly transforming into a powerful force in education and the industry.