The Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) recently named Dr. Manuel B. Garcia the first-ever recipient of the Ramon Dimacali Award for Information Technology. Dr. Garcia will receive the award on Monday, September 9, 2024, during the 73rd PhilAAST National Convention Celebration at the Manila Hotel.

PhilAAST is a non-profit organization of scientists and technologists that aims to promote and broaden the base of scientific advancement in the Philippines through research, technology development, and innovation.

The 73rd PhilAAST National Convention Celebration follows the theme “Ensuring Food Security through Science, Technology, and Innovation,” giving the scientific community in the Philippines and the respective awardees to highlight their contributions to furthering science and technology in the country through diverse methods.

Dr. Garcia is the Founding Director of the Educational Innovation and Technology Hub (EdITH) and a professor of information technology at FEU Institute of Technology. His interdisciplinary research interests include topics related to education and information technology. Dr. Garcia has also been recognized as one of the World's Top 2% Scientist in 2023.

He will receive the Ramon Dimacali Award for Information Technology from the PhilAAST for demonstrating his technological and academic expertise, which has led to significant contributions to information technology research.

The EdITH Founding Director was also the first FEU Institute of Technology Research Excellence Award recipient. Globally, he has won several Best Paper and Best Presentation awards at international research conferences in the United States, Spain, Canada, and most recently in Japan (June 22-24, 2024), where he received the Best Paper award for his metaverse research.

As a regular member of the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines, Dr. Garcia is also deeply involved in the research community. He has participated in almost 50 international conferences as a keynote speaker, technical committee member, session chair, and research presenter. Additionally, Dr. Garcia has served in various roles for research journals, including senior editorial board member (e.g., Journal of Information Systems Education, USA) and associate editor (e.g., Frontiers of Education, Switzerland). He has reviewed over 140 research publications, primarily focusing on papers that explore technology integration in other sectors.

Moreover, Dr. Garcia firmly believes in the transformative power of technology, which he amply supports with in-depth research. As the Founding Director of EdITH, he constantly develops innovative solutions to enhance the learning experience, streamline healthcare services, and inform policymaking, all while integrating information technology throughout the respective sectors.

Some of Dr. Garcia’s contributions to education prioritize educational innovation, mainly through metaverse technologies, educational games, and the pedagogical impacts of various instructional technologies. For instance, his experimental research on using computer-assisted instruction to teach physical fitness and exercise has demonstrated a performance advantage compared to traditional methods.

Meanwhile, Dr. Garcia has several publications in healthcare on intelligent tutoring systems, nutrition knowledge-based systems, and Internet-of-Things medical devices. One of his most notable research projects is the Virtual Dietitian, which uses a forward-chaining algorithm to personalize dietary plans and has resulted in a series of publications.

In public policymaking, his research includes sentiment analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which highlights the critical role of technology in understanding and responding to global crises. These are just some examples of how his work has significantly impacted how technology addresses complex challenges and improves various aspects of community life.

Dr. Garcia’s unwavering dedication to advancing information technology and its transformative potential is evident in his extensive research and contributions to various fields. As a recipient of the prestigious Ramon Dimacali Award for Information Technology, his work inspires future generations of scientists and technologists in the Philippines. Through his innovative solutions and commitment to academic excellence, Dr. Garcia continues to shape the landscape of technology and its positive impact on society.