The Adamson Computer Engineering Society (ACOES) prides itself on leading logically with a heart, defining the organization’s desire to pursue knowledge and excellence while lending a hand to others along the way. On their pursuance to this ideal, the ACOES, in collaboration with the Adamson University Young Educators Association (AUYEA), introduced their annual outreach event, ‘Convergence: Forming a Unity’.

Last September 15 (Wednesday), ACOES opened the event’s donation drive for #ProgramCOVID, aiming for a donation amount of 15,000 pesos. With the help of several recognized student organizations (RSO) from Adamson University, You Fund the One PH (YFTO PH), and the UST Community Achievers Association – Commerce (UST COMACH-COM), the organization was able to reach out to a vast number of generous hearts, amassing a total of 26,687.28 pesos. This achievement in itself was a symbol of gratitude to those who donated, revealing the fruit of their efforts and sharing a positive impact to all those who witnessed the drive’s success.

Along with this was the video podcast event that live-streamed on the 1st of October, where students were free to listen to the advice and experiences of some remarkable persons affiliated with Adamson University. The video podcast event opened with the inspiring words of Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo, filling the audience with energy and excitement.

The members of Team GiveSight, one of the global finalists of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) global Earth Observation Dashboard Hackathon, was then welcomed as the first guest of the event where Ms. Angelica Mhay Salazar, Mr. Karl De Guzman, and Mr. Joshua Bungcaras talked about their experience as a global hackathon team and how their accomplishment was unexpected but welcome. They shared the challenges they faced and the solutions they created, to help future hackathon teams in their ventures and to give interested students an idea of what goes on in a hackathon.

The second speaker, Dr. Violeta Simbahan-Dulatre is a Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) – DepEd Trainer who spoke of the teachers’ perspective on the new mode of learning, its challenges, and her thoughts, as a teacher herself.

Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, the sixth and current president of the Adamson University, was the last guest invited. He talked about #ProgramCOVID, a program made to conduct relief efforts for the socially disadvantaged through fund-raising activities. Prompted, he discussed the actions taken to ensure the safety of the workers and mentioned how all types of donations were welcome, whether it be goods or cash. His approachable and relaxed demeanor was contagious, influencing the listeners and ending the video podcast on a warm note.

On the 10th of October, the amount collected by the donation drive surpassed the set goal, closing the outreach event with a flourish.