Cebu City, Philippines – Cebu Institute of Technology – University (CIT University) proudly hosted the Cebu leg of the “AI and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Learning and Work” symposium, in partnership with Unilab Education (UniEd) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (MIT RAISE) initiative. The event, held on February 28, 2025, brought together educators, industry partners, and students to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping education and workforce development.
CIT University: Ready for the AI-Powered Future
The event reinforced CIT University’s readiness and leadership in navigating the AI-powered learning environment. Known for its strong engineering and computing programs, CIT University is actively shaping the AI landscape in the Philippines—not only through academic instruction but also through innovation, research, and industry collaboration.
In his welcome address, CIT University President Engr. Bernard Nicolas E. Villamor challenged attendees to envision how AI could eliminate everyday work and learning bottlenecks. He emphasized that AI is not a distant dream but a present-day tool for transformation, urging everyone to look at AI not as a threat, but as a tool for empowerment.
“AI is not just an automator—it is an amplifier of human potential,” Engr. Villamor said. “Technology doesn’t replace people—it empowers those who learn to use it.”
CIT University’s Innovation Ecosystem: Fostering Interdisciplinary Breakthroughs
CIT University’s reputation as a leader in AI is rooted in a robust and future-focused innovation ecosystem anchored on three core pillars:
1. The CenteR for E-learning And Technology Education (CREATE)
CREATE has been pivotal in advancing AI-powered education. Its flagship innovation—an AI-assisted learning module—was developed to help faculty personalize instruction, enhance digital content delivery, and simplify the complexities of online learning. This groundbreaking work earned CIT University international recognition from the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Rankings under the AI Category.
CREATE also provides faculty development programs, policy support, and research mentorship in the area of instructional technology and education innovation. It actively bridges educational theory and digital transformation, enabling AI-enhanced content creation and responsive teaching strategies.
2. AI Fabrication Laboratory (AI FabLab)
The AI FabLab is a state-of-the-art makerspace that enables hands-on AI research, prototyping, and problem-solving. Designed to equip students and researchers with Industry 4.0 competencies, the FabLab offers:
- Novelty production services that create market-ready designs and customized event products.
- Robotics and engineering-based collaborations, such as the Minebea Mitsumi Robotics Project and the CNC Milling Machine Upgrade.
- Seminars and certification programs to ensure students are equipped with essential AI, IoT, and automation skills.
- Membership in the international FABLAB network, providing global exposure and research collaboration opportunities.
The FabLab is also behind Project SEER and TacPic, AI-driven assistive technologies for the visually impaired that combine engineering with social impact.
3. Wildcat Innovation Lab (WIL)
WIL serves as CIT-U’s technopreneurship hub, offering a nurturing environment for startups, student innovators, and community-based solutions. With a 30-seat co-working space, 14-seat conference room, a mini café, and its own LaunchLab Pre-Acceleration Program, WIL empowers entrepreneurs to take AI-powered ideas from prototype to market.
Strategic collaborations with StellarPH, DOST-7, and DOST-PCIEERD have expanded startup funding pipelines, while WIL’s projects continue to integrate AI in developing community-focused solutions like Project Stellar, a solar-powered mobile energy hub.
Real-World Impact and Case Studies
Among CIT University’s most notable outputs is Project “Frontliner”, which produced nearly 2,000 face shields and intubation boxes at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another is the AI-Powered Attendance Management System, built in partnership with Alliance Software, using facial recognition technology via OpenCV and deep learning.
These initiatives reflect how CIT University’s innovation ecosystem doesn’t just operate within the campus—it directly addresses societal challenges and empowers industries and communities.
Spotlight on the College of Computer Studies: Excellence in AI, Research, and Competition
CIT University continues to set the benchmark in technology education as a Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-designated Center of Excellence in Information Technology Education, pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 38, Series of 2015. This recognition reaffirms the university’s sustained commitment to academic leadership, research excellence, and industry relevance in the field of computing.
Further reinforcing CIT University’s standing in AI education is the outstanding performance of its College of Computer Studies—a consistent hub for tech-driven creativity, innovation, and academic excellence:
- Asia-Pacific Champions at the 2024 Huawei ICT Innovation Competition: CIT University students Adrian T. Sajulga, Thomas Danjo M. Manulat, and Tristan James V. Tolentino clinched the top spot with “Wei Care,” an innovative smartwatch-based solution for early heart attack detection.
- 1st Prize Winner (Computing Track) at the Huawei Philippines ICT Competition 2024–2025 APAC Final: CIT-U emerged victorious again in Malaysia, earning the right to represent the Philippines at the Global Finals in China this May 2025.
- Research Presentation at the 2025 International Symposium on Education, AI, and Cybersecurity (ISEAC): Faculty and students from the College of Computer Studies successfully presented their AI research, showing CIT-U’s continued leadership in cutting-edge academic contributions.
- Level IV PACUCOA Reaccreditation: CIT-U’s Computer Science program is the first in Region 7 to receive Level IV reaccredited status from the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA), the highest level of accreditation granted to academic programs.
These accomplishments are not only a testament to the College’s pursuit of excellence, but also to its alignment with global standards in AI, computing, and digital innovation.
Looking Ahead: Leading the Charge in Responsible AI
CIT University’s strategic investments in AI-integrated learning, international collaboration, and interdisciplinary research point to a bold vision: to lead the country in responsible, inclusive, and innovation-driven AI education.
With a commitment to technopreneurship, sustainable development, and community impact, the university continues to strengthen partnerships with both global institutions and grassroots organizations.
“Innovation is not just about technology—it’s about people, ideas, and impact,” President Villamor emphasized. “As educators and leaders, we must ensure that AI serves as a force for empowerment, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.”
With the successful hosting of the Cebu leg of the “AI and Beyond” symposium, CIT University reaffirms its place among the most future-ready institutions in the Philippines—a creative, research-driven, and values-centered leader in AI education.