The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) claimed top recognitions in both the Statistical Infographics Contest and the 17th Statistics Analysis Contest for College Students during Region VI’s 35th National Statistics Month celebration, themed “Advancing Data and Statistics through Digital Transformation: A Road to an Empowered Nation.”
Among 29 competing teams from different colleges and universities across the region, UPV’s team of fourth-year BS in Statistics students—Glenn Ivan Macitas, Czar Jerwin Pagunsan, and Arpachshad Panoy, coached by Dr. Jhoanne Marsh C. Gatpatan—secured first place in the Statistics Analysis Contest with their paper, “Digital Transformation as Economic Development: A Philippine Context.” The competition took place at the RDC Hall, NEDA Region VI, on October 15.
Organized by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI (CHED RO VI) through CHED Memorandum Order No. 302, series of 2024, in collaboration with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region VI and the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc. Region VI Chapter (PSAI6), this year’s competition marked the revival of the Statistics Analysis Contest, aiming to increase college students’ awareness of statistics’ vital role in national development.
Further adding to UPV’s achievements, another fourth-year BS in Statistics student Rey Mark Paran claimed first place in the Statistical Infographics Contest with his entry, “Bytes of Progress.” His infographic detailed the evolution of the nation’s digital economy and outlined essential government efforts toward digitalization, emphasizing challenges in labor skill development, cybersecurity, and rural connectivity.
UPV also clinched a place in the Photography Contest, with Franque Gilo, also a BS in Statistics IV student, achieving fourth place among 16 entries for his photo “Bayad.” The photo illustrated digital payments’ transformative impact on public transportation, emphasizing both convenience and the need for inclusive access.
UPV’s outstanding achievements were recognized at the 35th NSM Closing and Awarding Ceremony at the National Museum of the Philippines in Iloilo City, where the winning students received trophies, cash prizes, and certificates. These accomplishments add to UP Visayas’ commendable performance in this year’s NSM celebrations, which led them to swing the prestigious “Best NSM Agency” award for the third consecutive year.
