Photo credits to CMU College of Information Sciences and Computing Student Council

The Central Mindanao University (CMU) once again became a hub of innovation and collaboration as it celebrated its 11th Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) Week—an annual academic gathering that highlights groundbreaking research, community-driven innovations, and impactful extension programs.

What is CMU’s RDE Week?

The RDE Week is one of CMU’s flagship academic events, designed to showcase the university’s commitment to advancing knowledge, technology, and community development. It gathers students, faculty, researchers, industry partners, and innovators to present projects that address real-world challenges.

This year’s celebration featured:

• Research presentations across various disciplines
• Technology and product exhibits
• Community extension initiatives
• Student-led innovations and startup concepts

More than just an academic showcase, RDE Week serves as a platform where ideas transition from theory to real-world application—bridging the gap between education, technology, and societal impact.

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BENTAMO Interns Take the Spotlight

Among the standout exhibitors were interns from BENTAMO, who introduced two promising digital platforms aimed at solving real community and societal problems.

CivicHub: Empowering Communities Through Digital Dialogue

Developed by Mr. John Ayuban, CivicHub is a community-driven forum platform built to amplify local voices and encourage collaborative problem-solving.

The platform allows residents to:

• Share concerns and discuss pressing local issues
• Post suggestions and announcements
• Engage in meaningful conversations through threaded discussions
• React, comment, and interact within structured categories

Beyond basic discussion features, CivicHub integrates:

• User management systems
• Advanced search and filtering tools
• Notifications for real-time engagement
• Moderation controls to maintain a safe and organized environment

By creating a centralized and structured digital space, CivicHub transforms scattered conversations into actionable dialogue—empowering communities to work together toward meaningful solutions.

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Fundora: Reinventing Crowdfunding in the Philippines

Meanwhile, Mr. Barth Serceña introduced a Filipino crowdfunding platform designed to address a long-standing issue in the country: unstructured and unverified online fundraising.

In the Philippines, donation drives often rely on social media posts—particularly on Facebook—where transparency and accountability are limited. This exposes both donors and beneficiaries to potential fraud and erodes trust.

Barth’s platform aims to change that by offering:

• A structured fundraising system
• Transparent tracking of donations
• Verification mechanisms for campaigns
• Secure and accountable transactions

This innovation introduces a safer, more reliable way for Filipinos to support causes—bringing credibility and trust back into digital fundraising.

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Launching Soon: Built for Real Impact

Both platforms are currently in development and are set to launch soon, signaling exciting opportunities not just for technology adoption, but for real societal impact.

The participation of BENTAMO interns at CMU’s RDE Week highlights a growing movement: young innovators building solutions that directly respond to community needs. Their work reflects how digital platforms can reshape civic engagement and financial transparency in the Philippines.

As RDE Week continues to champion research and innovation, projects like CivicHub and the crowdfunding platform stand as strong examples of how student-driven ideas can evolve into tools that empower communities nationwide.