A GROUP of Industrial Engineering students from the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Quezon City won first place in the International First Central American and Carribean Conference organized by IEOM Society.

The team composed of Christienne Austin Bernardo, Celenina Grace Cruz, Kate Antonette Dy, Hector Jamero, Norvin Mindoro was recognized for their research titled, “Minimizing the Effect of the Covid19 Pandemic as One of the Supply Chain Disruption in a Timber Trade Sector.”

“This undertaking, apart from being a class requirement, was a test on the students’ resilience and creativity. They had to make use of the available data given the circumstances,” research adviser Dr. Romalyn Galingan said.

Using secondary data analysis, the researchers assessed the state of the furniture industry amid the pandemic.

They found a tremendous decrease in sales and productivity and recommended the use of digital technology and online marketing strategies.

TIP IE Program head Dr. Arriane Palisoc said that bagging the first prize highlighted the immense knowledge and capabilities of TIP engineers.

“We always try to be responsive to the needs of the times; and since the pandemic is the most pressing issue as of late, conducting the research was only fitting and necessary,” Palisoc said.

IEOM is a global non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of industrial engineering and operations management among countries.