BukSU Named Region X Winner in DOT-CHED Tourism Start-Up Challenge

Bukidnon State University was recognized as the Region X winner in the 2025 Tourism Start-Up Challenge (TSC), a nationwide competition led by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that supports tourism-related projects developed by college students.

The recognition was announced during the TSC awarding ceremony held on May 12, 2026, at Seda Vertis North, Metro Manila, where DOT and CHED awarded national and regional winners from higher education institutions across the country.

BukSU’s entry, “KauVan Learning Companion,” is a mobile learning van and digital platform for community-based and sustainable edu-tourism.

The project was presented by BukSU’s Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management students Curlis Nealjzan Molina, Sara Felise S. Cubero, April Stephanie M. Amedina, Cathleen Claire Palera, Byriel Cadornegara, and Roderic Jr. G. Oracion, together with their coach, Dr. Annie Leah Roxann L. Emata.

BukSU was among the regional winners from Mindanao, together with Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Santa Cruz Mission School Inc., and Agusan del Sur State University. Each regional winner will receive a ₱250,000 grant for further research, study, or project development.

The Tourism Start-Up Challenge is an annual nationwide competition for college students that encourages tourism-related innovations aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan.

Project proposals first undergo provincial evaluation before advancing to the regional level, where one representative from each region is selected to proceed to the national judging. The 17 national finalists each receive ₱250,000 grants, while one winner each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao receives ₱5 million for project implementation. (BukSU – Information Unit)