University of Luzon Launches Product Innovation Final Judging Alongside CBAHTM Week Festivities

The University of Luzon is currently a nexus of entrepreneurial spirit and academic excellence as the College of Business Administration and Hospitality and Tourism Management (CBAHTM) commences its annual week-long celebration, prominently featuring the Final Judging of the highly anticipated 2023 Product Innovation competition. This event represents a critical juncture for our Luzonians, transitioning theoretical knowledge into tangible, marketable products. The journey began on October 24, 2023, when six dedicated teams formally announced and displayed their official entries, each centered on innovative food and non-food corn-based products. The competing concepts—Grami Maize, Cornucopia, Cornnoisseur, Enchanted Cornival, Corner Station, and Cornelia Street—were presented alongside creative and meticulous table set-ups, demonstrating not only product ingenuity but also brand conceptualization and visual merchandising skills. This initial phase included a rigorous evaluation by a distinguished panel of judges: Dr. Carmelo John Vidal, Dr. Dolores Bustillo, and Dr. Amalia G. Dela Cruz. The panel provided invaluable feedback to the teams, focusing on strategic elements such as proper market positioning and vital areas for product improvement, ensuring the innovation fostered by the University is geared towards real-world commercial viability.

The subsequent celebrations, collectively known as CBAHTM Week, officially opened on November 7, 2023, at 8:00 AM, in connection with the BAHTM Week programming. The formal program, held at the UL-Multi Purpose Hall, was inaugurated by Dr. Amalia Dela Cruz, the esteemed Dean of CBAHTM, and expertly organized by event coordinators Prof. Sherryl Delos Santos and Prof. Alvin Carillo. This kick-off event marked the start of the culminating activities for the student innovators, with the Final Judging scheduled to span three days from November 7-9, 2023. The atmosphere on the first day was one of palpable enthusiasm and energy, a testament to the dedication of the Luzonians. It was filled with spirited academic competitions, captivating performances, and the display of elaborately prepared, highly creative student booths, which were described by participants as truly “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” This blend of serious academic endeavor and collegial excitement underscores the University of Luzon’s commitment to providing a holistic educational experience that prepares students for dynamic careers in business, hospitality, and tourism.

The collective effort displayed throughout the Product Innovation competition and the CBAHTM Week aligns closely with several core tenets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the University of Luzon’s commitment to global responsibility and impactful development. Specifically, the initiative champions SDG 4: Quality Education by providing practical, hands-on learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, fostering critical thinking, research, and technical skills necessary for future industry leaders. Furthermore, by tasking students to create viable, market-ready products, often utilizing local and sustainable resources like corn, the competition directly contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs who will create jobs and contribute to the local economy. Finally, the focus on product development, improvement, and market strategy inherently supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization by significantly boosting scientific research and encouraging innovation in the food and non-food sectors.