On April 4, 2025, I participated in the International Research Conference on Information Technology Education (IRCITE), held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in the City of Malolos, Bulacan. With the theme “Empower, Collaborate, Excel: Advancing Excellence and Inclusivity in IT Education for a Digital Future,” the event brought together students, researchers, and educators to showcase innovations in IT education. Our team, which included Andrea Anne Orca (the “Hacker”), Mahasiah Bautista (the “Hustler”), and myself (the “Hipster”), presented our paper titled “Fitformotion: AI Fitness Progressive Web App (PWA) for Gym Enthusiasts with Progress Visualization and Predictive Analytics.” Although our adviser, Mr. Arvin Shelby De Leon, was unable to attend, his mentorship was crucial to our research.
Due to scheduling conflicts, Andrea and I couldn’t present, but we spent the day exploring the conference venue, engaging with other participants, and absorbing the vibrant atmosphere. It turned out to be an enriching experience as we learned from the various presentations and activities, even though we missed presenting on stage.
The conference made me realize how diverse and dynamic IT education is. A powerful presentation by a participant from Don Honorio Ventura State University, who won the Best Presenter Award, reminded me of the importance of not only having strong content but also being able to communicate it clearly and confidently. Listening to various presentations and Q&A sessions further reinforced the value of clarity, confidence, and real-world relevance in research pitches.
From a practical standpoint, IRCITE provided valuable strategies for improving our Fitformotion app. Seeing how other teams incorporated user feedback and validation processes inspired ideas for extending our app with additional features, such as holistic health tracking. The interdisciplinary nature of the projects presented, especially those combining IT with fields like mental health and the environment, motivated me to think about how we could enhance Fitformotion to address broader, more meaningful issues.
The event was incredibly well-organized. The lively venue, approachable volunteers, and inclusive atmosphere made the experience enjoyable. What stood out was the way the conference celebrated creativity, with cosplay contests, choir performances, and short films, making it feel like a community celebration of innovation. The diverse participation from across regions added to the richness of the event.
To improve future conferences, I suggest including structured networking segments, such as small-group discussions or interactive workshops, to facilitate deeper connections and potential collaborations. Additionally, livestreaming or creating digital archives of the presentations would be beneficial, as overlapping schedules made it difficult to attend all sessions. Having access to recorded sessions would allow participants to revisit key learnings and share content with those who couldn’t attend.
These suggestions would help extend the conference’s impact beyond the event day, allowing participants to reflect, collaborate, and continue learning from the experience.