Caraga State University (CSU) has proven its excellence in microelectronics at the inaugural Philippine IC Design Association (PICDA) Integrated Circuit Design Contest, held online on May 29, 2026. As a premier national arena for semiconductor innovation, PICDA gathers top engineering universities from across the Philippines to tackle complex, real-world chip design challenges.
The competitive field included prestigious institutions such as Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) – Manila, and AMA College – Cavite, among others.
Competing in highly technical tracks focused on the fundamental building blocks of modern technology, the CSU contingent demonstrated the high caliber of talent the Caraga region has to offer.
The brilliant student-engineer duo of Elgene Cris Abao and Oliver Flores claimed the Championship title in the Digital RTL IC Design category. Securing more honors for the university, Normelito Buyan and Jonathan Timbal clinched 3rd Place in the Analog IC Design track. Both teams from the College of Engineering and Geosciences were guided to victory by their dedicated coach, Engr. Re-Ann Cristine O. Calimpusan-Perin.
Photo via PICDA’s Facebook Page
