Mapúa University has demonstrated the importance of a higher education institution’s participation in knowledge generation efforts that lead to sustainable community development, environment protection and preservation, social change, and nation building. Its strong regard for research has resulted in countless achievements attained not only by its graduates but also by the students of its undergraduate programs.
As part of its University Day, which was held last May 4, Mapúa held a thanksgiving luncheon to celebrate the feat of its Electrical Engineering student, Carvey Ehren R. Maigue, who is the first-ever Sustainability Winner of the James Dyson Award last year for his invention, the Aurora Renewable Energy and UV Sequestration (AuREUS).
He bested 1,800 entries from design engineers all over the world and was personally chosen by James Dyson himself, the British inventor who developed the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner.
Mapúa president and chief executive officer Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, together with the University’s officers and deans, honored Maigue and offered him support for his future endeavors. Maigue, on the other hand, also expressed his gratitude to the institution for the knowledge and support it has bestowed in him that made him acquire such a prestigious award.
“Other schools require their students to be great upon their entry in the institution. My University, regardless of the student’s background, still equips us to do great things. It is what Mapúa can really contribute – to turn rough and unfortunate circumstances into beings with innovations that will contribute change and will make the world better,” Maigue expressed.
The AuREUS is a system that uses technology synthesized from upcycled crop waste to absorb stray UV light from sunlight and convert it to clean renewable electricity. UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation present in sunlight that can bounce off surfaces such as buildings. The invention aims to address climate change and bring forth a more sustainable future.
Maigue is currently developing his startup office to take AuREUS to the market and is processing the patent of his invention, with both gaining solid support from Mapúa.
“Most successful tech startups are software based. Ours is different because we are hardware based. These presented a myriad of challenges, but Mapúa EECE courses are known for intensive prototyping and hardware design projects; these really helped me work around the challenges of pursuing a deep tech startup,” shared Maigue.
He also stressed that the agriculture sector can benefit from the AuREUS particularly the farmers who are most affected by climate-driven typhoons. The invention will aid them in terms of making a profit out of their damaged crops to help them rehabilitate their source of livelihood.
Maigue’s victory in 2020 is proof that hard work and a world-class education pay off handsomely.
“Working on AuREUS is extra challenging, but it is a challenge worth taking. And I think Mapúa equipped me well with the attitude, skills, and knowledge so that even if the journey isn’t easy, I can always find a way around it or through it,” he said. “A degree from Mapúa is a lifetime badge that grants you access to global success.”
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