Driven by a commitment to make innovation a central force, faculty and student trailblazers were honored for their exceptional creations at the Teaching and Student Innovation Awards 2025. The awarding ceremony was held as part of the University Convocation on February 2, 2026, at the HRD Auditorium.

This is the inaugural presentation of these two recognitions, with the goal of acknowledging the dedication of PNUans. The Teaching Innovation Award is designed to celebrate, support, and showcase faculty-driven strategies that significantly transform teaching and learning in diverse, inclusive, and future-ready ways. This was open to all full-time faculty members at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Meanwhile, the Student Innovation Award is a university-wide initiative that recognizes and celebrates the students’ ingenuity in addressing real-world educational challenges. The award was made open to all undergraduate and straight bachelor–master’s students across the PNU system.

College of Teacher Development Dean Dr. Gladys C. Nivera, in her message, considered this maiden voyage of the recognition as the beginning of a tradition of honoring faculty members who dare to try new things in the classroom and students who turn ideas into solutions for pressing educational challenges.

The CTD Faculty Assistant on Critical AI and Digital Literacy and the Chair of the Panel of Judges for the Student Innovation Awards, Dr. Felicia I. Yeban, had the honor of recognizing the winners in the said category. The third prize was awarded to Allen Jerson Gimoros, a BSMA in Psychology and Counseling student. Second prize went to the group from IV-26 BTLE-ICT composed of Adrian Bangit, Janna Antiquera, Jaydee Flores, Christel Obing, Reselda Penaso, and Richel Tupaz. The first prize was awarded to the group of Erica Alba, John Michael Alic, Emil John Laurente, and Cayle Fern Orquina, also from IV-26 BTLE-ICT. These podium finishers received cash prizes of Php 10,000, Php 15,000, and Php 20,000, respectively.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Teaching Innovation Awards were announced by the Chair of the Panel of Judges, Vice President for Academics Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas. The third prize winner was Prof. Jose Mari M. Calamlam of the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Mathematics (FSTeM). He received a cash incentive amounting to Php 10,000. Securing the second prize was Prof. Eisha Vienna M. Fernandez, Community Partnership and Extension Office Director and likewise a faculty member of FSTeM. Prof. Fernandez received Php 20,000 as part of her recognition. Taking the top prize was Prof. Carl O. Dellomos of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Prof. Dellomos took home Php 30,000.

Dean Dr. Nivera concluded the gathering by underscoring the role of PNU in shaping the future of education.