Assumption Antipolo Emerges as Champion of First-ever Kiwi Challenge Philippines

Kiwi Challengers from Assumption Antipolo emerged as the winners of the first-ever Kiwi Challenge Philippines!

(Kiwi Challenge 2023 Champions, Assumption Antipolo, together with their coach and school administrators receive their award and prizes)

Education resource provider Diwa Learning Systems Inc (Diwa) partnered with New Zealand institutions Education New Zealand and Lincoln University to bring Kiwi Challenge to the Philippines. This online business competition for senior high school students extends pedagogy outside of the classroom experience as it accomplishes the learning objectives of work immersion.

The search for Kiwi Challengers began in November 2022. From an initial forty-six (46) teams from all over the country that qualified for the competition, five (5) teams made it to the final round, which was held on 29 April 2023 and was streamed live via the Diwa Facebook page.

The finalists presented their business plans to a panel of judges, which include Mr. Tim Brown, Manager of Innovation and Growth at Education New Zealand; Ms. Racel S. Bolo, Diwa Vice President for Printed Products; and Prof. Hamish Gow, Sir Graeme Harrison Chair in Global Value Chains and Trade of Lincoln University.

Padre Vicente Garcia Memorial Academy Inc, Batangas (PVGMA) and St. Mary’s University, Nueva Vizcaya (SMU) placed 1st and 2nd Runners-up, respectively. Completing the five finalists are Lake Shore Educational Institution - Biñan and St. Scholastica’s Academy - San Fernando, Pampanga.

(Kiwi Challengers from PVGMA [1st Runners-up] and SMU [2nd Runners-up] together with their coaches receive their awards and prizes)

Developing Innovative Agribusiness Ideas

Kiwi Challenge Philippines is an online business idea competition for Grade 12 senior high school students in the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand from private schools across the Philippines. It provides schools with an opportunity to allow their students to experience the creation of a business idea, and acquire relevant and practical skills under the guidance of industry professionals and educators.

This year’s theme for Kiwi Challenge is Agribusiness. Kiwi Challengers were tasked to develop an innovative agribusiness idea that will contribute to the attainment of the country’s food security objectives and promote sustainable economic activities in the cultivation of plants and livestock.

Kiwi Challengers from Assumption Antipolo, Alaina Francise Relativo, Dana Gianandrea Fresnido, Francesca Denisse Achacoso, Freyra Niesha Revilla, and Leira Gale San Sebastian, together with their coach, Layna Santos, pitched a local energy snack they call Sumsums.

Sumsum products are made of suman rice and other locally sourced ingredients, making its production sustainable and supportive of local farmers. The product aims to promote healthy eating habits to consumers; with target places of distribution being school cafeterias, sports and wellness centers, pop-up bazaars, and events places.

Kiwi Challengers from PVGMA pitched a production of sugar using overripe bananas; while Kiwi Challengers from SMU developed a natural poultry feed made of black soldier fly larvae.

During the semi-finals round, the Kiwi Challengers underwent mentoring sessions from Lincoln University, and local mentors and industry experts: Mr. Jim Leandro Cano, Knowledge Management and Digital Solutions Head of Nature Tech Innovations Inc; Ms. Thara Advincula, Creative Director and Founder of Carthal Manila, Mr. Robi del Rosario, CEO of Uproot Urban Farms; Mr. Ruel Amparo, CEO of Cropital; and Mr. Kenneth Reyes-Lao, CEO and Co-founder of Cacao Culture Farms.

Creating Partnerships for Nation-building

Kiwi Challenge is made possible through the partnership of Education New Zealand (ENZ), the government agency for building international education, promoting New Zealand as a study destination, and supporting the delivery of education services offshore; Diwa Learning Systems Inc, the leading provider of print and digital K-to-12 educational resources in the Philippines; and Lincoln University, a highly recognized tertiary education institution in New Zealand with a Quacquarelli Symonds five star rating, and is ranked in the top 100 in the fields of Agriculture and Forestry and in the top 150 in Hospitality and Management (2023 QS Ranking).

Now celebrating forty (40) years of bringing education to life, Diwa continues to partner with local and international organizations to help learners create rich learning experiences and take active participation in nation-building.