Australia Awards scholars from the Philippines have claimed victory in one of South Australia’s most prestigious student technology competitions. Paul John (PJ) Collantes Legaspi and Gerald Moyo Mendeja led their team to first place in the University of Adelaide’s Tech eChallenge program, outperforming 59 competing teams from across the university.
The prize-winning innovation is Quixly, an AI-powered educational mobile application that revolutionises how students approach learning. The team developed the platform to help fellow students to transform any digital or physical study materials from multiple sources including websites, videos, pictures, documents, photos and other applications, into personalized quizzes, flashcards and study guides with just a single tap.
“Experiencing and witnessing educational struggles firsthand, Quixly was born from the aspiration to make academic learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” explains PJ.
PJ and Gerald commenced their Australia Awards scholarships at the University of Adelaide in January this year, both pursuing a Master of Technology Innovation and Leadership – advanced programs. The degree is specifically designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to lead in technology-driven industries. In the Philippines, PJ works as an Investment Promotions Officer for the City Government of Naga, while Gerald serves as an Information Technology Officer in the Commission on Audit.
“The Tech eChallenge has provided us with a transformative journey from ideation, leading to a tangible technology solution that actually solves a real-world problem,” says Gerald. “We are especially grateful for the support from ThincLab and the invaluable guidance of industry leaders, which has truly enriched our academic experience here at the university.”
The team’s victory validates their innovative approach and provides a launching pad for bringing Quixly to market. They will be supported with an AUD3000 prize and access to ThincLab for mentoring and coaching.
“Winning this program has validated our efforts and inspired us to continue,” Gerald shares. “This is also a great reflection of our aspiration to provide something meaningful that people can actually benefit from.”
The team has ambitious plans for Quixly’s future development and intends to take their idea to market. While they have big aspirations, they want to ensure their app is available to those who need it most. “Our long-term goal is to make Quixly available globally, but we want to ensure it is accessible in developing countries like the Philippines,” they emphasise.
The achievement of these scholars at the University of Adelaide’s Tech eChallenge exemplifies the transformative power of international education partnerships and the potential for cross-cultural collaboration to address universal challenges in education and technology.
