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One MEE Representative Takes the Plunge on Innovating Amidst Diversity
VOLUME 1 ISSUE NO. 1 NEWS | 07
by Angeline Sunga
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Picture courtesy of Benedict Abdon
Benedict Abdon is the sole Mechatronics Engineering student to have participated in the Temasek Foundation Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange (TF SCALE) 2021–2022 Programme from September 6, 2021, to March 11, 2022.
TF SCALE is a leadership exchange program for ASEAN students enrolled in Polytechnics and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes. It has 23 delegates from the main and external campuses of Bulacan State University.
The said program is composed of three parts: Part I – Deep Dive ASEAN, Part II – Innovation in ASEAN, and Part III – Venture Creation in ASEAN, which has led ASEAN and think of possible innovations that he could contribute to develop these countries and help solve the challenges that they are facing.
to the innovation by Abdon and its groupmates of nameplates with an integrated alarm system for fast-food crews, which are linked to multiple sensors within the fast-food restaurant to monitor its air quality and display the results on a large television screen. When the air becomes contaminated enough that the humidifiers can no longer mitigate it, the alarms inside the nameplates are activated.
Abdon stated that the program helped him to better understand the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community and the different cultures and behaviors that are still strung together by the openness of both sides. It also let him see the different situations in the countries within
He also expresses, “This program has been an excellent experience for me. The staff and facilitators are constantly pushing us beyond our comfort zones and helping us unlock the full extent of our potential. I have also met many amazing people that became my friends as we ventured out on our TF Scale journey together. I am so thankful for my groupmates, namely Justine Anne Bilbao (COE), Airi Mae Calara (CON), Kryzlle Fernando (CIT), Marko Villaplaza (COE), Yeye Taut (Singapore Polytechnic), Xavier Kong (Singapore Polytechnic), and three other Singaporeans.”
