PUCMM graduates secure first place in Dubai global undergraduate competition

Dubai.- A group of engineers from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) clinched the top spot in the Work Competition for Undergraduate Students, sponsored by Siemens, at the XIV International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management in Dubai. The competition, organized by the Society of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM), showcased the exceptional work of undergraduate students worldwide.

Andy Tineo and Almanzor Vila, recent graduates of the Industrial and Systems Engineering program at PUCMM, secured the first position with their project titled “Improving agricultural productivity and sustainability through technological innovation in Latin America.” Remarkably, this project originated as their degree thesis during their time at PUCMM.

The winning project involved an extensive analysis of current agricultural technology in the Dominican Republic and Latin America. It specifically addressed the potential for innovative solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Despite challenges such as high initial costs and farmers’ preferences for traditional methods, the study, backed by field experts, underscored the significant benefits of adopting technologies like precision irrigation, foresight, and biotechnology.

PUCMM’s project claimed the top spot, surpassing the entry from King Khalid University of Abha in Saudi Arabia, focusing on manufacturing in factories. The third-place entry, presented by students from the Philippine Institute of Technology, Quenzon City, delved into the impact of Korean trends on academic performance among higher education students.

Expressing gratitude, Andy Tineo acknowledged the support of PUCMM and collaborators, emphasizing the opportunity to represent the country globally. Almanzor Vila highlighted the collaborative effort that brought together farmers, experts, and stakeholders. They now present their findings to engineers worldwide to address the critical challenge of agricultural sustainability.

The competition’s objective is to gather professionals globally, fostering critical thinking and initiatives in the realm of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.