Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CIT-U), one of the top universities in the Philippines, recently formalized a strategic partnership with NCR Cebu Development Center, Inc. (NCR Atleos) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a significant step in strengthening collaboration between industry and academe. The agreement underscores a shared commitment to advancing innovation, applied research, and real-world technology development.
As a top Philippine university, CIT-U continues to position itself at the forefront of industry-aligned education by building partnerships that translate learning into impactful solutions.
A Structured Innovation Program from Concept to Application
At the core of the MOU is a structured, multi-phase innovation program that will run from 2025 to 2027. This program is designed to guide students through the complete innovation lifecycle—from idea generation to prototype development and potential real-world integration—while benefiting from joint mentorship by NCR Atleos engineers and CIT-U faculty.
This initiative reflects the culture of excellence that defines the university’s approach to preparing students for complex, evolving industry challenges.
Six Phases Toward Future-Ready Solutions
The partnership outlines a six-phase program that progressively strengthens student outputs:
Phase 1 – Hackathon
Students develop creative, solution-driven concepts aligned with NCR Atleos’ innovation areas, guided by mentors and structured problem briefs, leading to the selection of top ideas.
Phase 2 – Mentorship and Research
Selected concepts are refined into formal research or thesis proposals through joint supervision from faculty members and industry engineers.
Phase 3 – Internship
Winning teams undergo hands-on training at NCR Atleos facilities, gaining access to technical resources and expert mentorship to enhance their prototypes.
Phase 4 – Capstone 1
Students design complete systems, including architecture and test plans, with NCR Atleos providing technical reviews and feedback.
Phase 5 – Capstone 2
Teams finalize system builds, validation processes, and pilot-ready prototypes while completing their academic requirements.
Phase 6 – Transition
The program concludes with knowledge transfer, evaluation, and assessment of outputs for potential integration into NCR Atleos systems.
Strengthening Industry–Academe Collaboration
Through this collaboration, CIT University reinforces its commitment to experiential learning that bridges theory and practice, ensuring that students are equipped with relevant skills and industry exposure.
The partnership further strengthens the institution’s standing as a top university that values innovation, research relevance, and meaningful industry engagement.
Empowering Future Innovators
This MOU represents more than a formal agreement—it is a shared investment in nurturing student potential, accelerating innovation, and developing future-ready technological solutions that respond to real-world needs.
As an engineering university in Cebu, CIT-U continues to create pathways where academic excellence meets industry impact, preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to the local and global technology landscape.