Prof. Mark Anthony D. Uy, a graduate and a faculty member of the UE College of Computer Studies and Systems (CCSS), recently represented his Alma Mater and the Philippines in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 held last March 17 to 21 in San Francisco, California, USA.

A batch 2012 graduate of the UE CCSS’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degree program and the incumbent Chairperson of the College’s Entertainment and Multimedia Computing (EMC) Department, Prof. Uy got to be immersed in the conference’s whirlwind showcase of innovation and inspiration.

Throughout the conference, he got to listen to numerous keynote speeches delivered by representatives of prominent industry partners such as Google Play, Nintendo, Tencent, Discord, and EA Studio, among others. He gained valuable insights into the future of game development and had the opportunity to watch app demos, which highlighted cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions from different exhibitors.

One of the highlights of Prof. Uy’s working trip was exploring impressive student projects by university students from around the world. He got to engage in interactive sessions with several indie game developers, who enthusiastically showcased their inventive games. Overall, he was truly amazed by their creativity and the potential they demonstrated, such projects serving as a powerful reminder of the incredible talent and genius present in the global gaming community.

Prof. Uy’s participation in GDC 2025 was an eye-opener, reinforcing the belief that there is immense potential for growth and development in the gaming industry within UE and the Philippines. The talents of game artists and developers in the region are poised to make significant contributions to the global gaming landscape.

This experience not only added to Prof. Uy’s personal learning and professional growth but will also redound to the rest of the constituency, especially the students, of the UE CCSS, which remains a Commission on Higher Education-certified Center of Excellence in Information Technology Education.

The UE College of Education dean, and faculty members and students of the UE College of Computer Studies and Systems were active participants as research paper presenters at the 2024 ASAIHL Conference held this June at Juntendo University in Tokyo, Japan.

ASAIHL refers to the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning. In attendance for its latest conference were UE CEduc Dean Eva Aurora D. Callueng, UE CCSS Professors Mary Grace G. Ventura and Miguel Angelo A. Tolentino and CCSS-BS Computer Science student Joyce Antonette B. Guadalupe, CCSS-BSIT student Chazz C. Manubay and CCSS-BS Data Science student Jan Carlo S. Ramos.

Held last June 16-17, the 2024 ASAIHL Conference had “Advances in Information and Communication Technology on Education” as theme, with the following subthemes: (1) Technology and the Future of Healthcare, (2) Technological Innovations for Education, and (3) Data Science and Informatics.

The paper “News Coverage of Mainstream Online Newspapers in the Philippines Regarding Japan: A Text Mining Approach” by Dr. Rex P. Bringula and his UE CCSS students Roman Paulo B. Baet, Ralph Lawrence F. Garcia, Franchesca Mari M. Morales, Jan Carlo S. Ramos, and Hanna Sophia G. Sarmiento, was presented by Mr. Ramos. It explored how the Japanese are viewed by Filipinos by data mining several mainstream online newspapers in the Philippines.

The paper “Interface Interactions and Mathematics Performance in a Personal Instructing Agent Exhibiting Synthetic Facial Expression” by UE CCSS Professors Bringula and Tolentino and CCSS students John Lorenz N. Dela Cruz, Paulyn Joy C. Dela Cruz, Joyce Antonette B. Guadalupe, Jiabianca L. Macaraeg, Piolo Jose S. Montesa, and Mark Paul B. Ramos, was presented by Miss Guadalupe. The paper investigated how interactions with a virtual agent could influence mathematics learning.

The paper “UE-CLAMS: University of the UUֱ��-Computer Laboratory Asset Management System” by Prof. Mary Grace Ventura and UE CCSS students Lenard Carl L. Abonal, Angel Di G. Avecilla, John Darrell Guirao, Chazz C. Manubay, and Peter Kester C. Tabi, was presented by Mr. Manubay. The research team designed and developed software to allow the University to efficiently manage its computer laboratories through a single, web-based digital system.

And the paper “Informed Mobility Strategies in Metro Manila After the Pandemic” by UE CEduc Dean Eva Aurora Callueng discussed the implications of hybrid modalities and work-from-home arrangements to the decongestion of traffic jams in Metro Manila.

The UE College of Education has produced outstanding, award-winning graduates through its various Education and Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree programs, while the UE CCSS is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Information Technology Education by the Commission on Higher Education.

Kudos and keep up the great work, Warrior CEduc Dean and Warrior CCSS Profs and Students!

[Report and photo courtesy of Prof. Tolentino]