Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) has provided a PHP 100,000 research grant to 15 teams nationwide to promote sustainable use of natural resources, a total value of PHP 1.5 million.
The 15 teams were chosen during NAC’s first-ever Sustainability Contest, which is part of its Sustainability stakeholder engagement plan.
The awardees are the research teams from the following universities: Caraga State University, Saint Paul University in Surigao, the University of Mindanao-Matina Campus, Bataan Peninsula State University-Main Campus, St. Paul University Surigao (St. Paul University System), Visayas State University, Batangas State University-Alangilan Campus, Partido State University, STI College Surigao, Saint Louis University, Cebu Technological University-Tuburan Campus, Bicol University, and the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
The selected grantees took part by engaging in research projects that utilize science-based techniques to enhance environmental practices and promote responsible utilization of natural resources.
According to NAC, sustainability has become their company’s priority and being able to map an ESG roadmap has been one of their biggest accomplishments, which includes creating events like this that promote sustainability, particularly in the youth.
One of the entries is “Synergistic Integration of Phytoremediation and Hydroponics System for Optimal Silt Removal in Runoff Water from Surface Mines,” by Caraga State University, which involves the cultivation of plants to remove silt and contaminants from water. The project also establishes a natural infiltration system.
Meanwhile, Saint Paul University’s proposal focused on using advanced technology for risk management through artificial intelligence (AI) to predict potential risks and hazards in mining operations.
Enhancing structural safety with the use of drones to foresee cracks in concrete structures has been the niche of the research by the students from Ateneo de Davao University. Through computer algorithims, data acquired from the drones will be analyzed thereafter.
With the help of provided research grants, the winning universities will be able to pursue and execute their proposals and showcase the results in the upcoming NAC Sustainability Fair in 2024.
This initiative will enable students to exchange knowledge and share their sustainable solutions with the public.
