Wastewater treatment wins Feati's top prize

MANILA, Philippines - Combining business savvy and environmental consciousness, a natural wastewater treatment system devised by Feati students has bagged the coveted Zara Cup for best invention in the university’s recently concluded Science & Technology Expo. Featinian Civil Engineering students Jet Agus, Angelica Alonzo and Lucky Ray Lim, under the supervision of their adviser Engr. Arnaldo Reyes, were awarded the top prize in the Documented category for their “Design of Aquaponics System for Waste Water Treatment and Agriculture Use.” The method combines aquaculture, or fish farming, and hydroponics, a method of cultivating plants in mineral solution instead of soil. It enables natural material bacterial action to convert fish waste into plant food and recycle fresh oxygenated water, making fish grow at a phenomenal rate. The award is named after national scientist and Feati’s first vice president, Dr. Gregorio Zara. A famous inventor and scientist, he invented the TV-Phone, the solar water heater, the alcohol-based aircraft engine and the first Philippine Microscope. Adopting “Technology and Entrepreneurship” as this year’s theme, the Science & Technology Expo showcased students’ inventions and concepts which not only are ground-breaking, but also promote sustainable economic progress.