IRCITE 2026 - BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

 

    I had the opportunity to attend the International Research Conference on Information Technology Education (IRCITE) 2026, organized by the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) in collaboration with Gordon College. The event was held on March 19, 2026, at Bulacan State University in Malolos, Bulacan.

    As usual, we rented a van for the trip, making this my third PSITE conference experience. To be honest, I started to feel a bit familiar with the flow of these events since the cycle and structure were quite repetitive. Most of the discussions still revolved around AI, cybersecurity, computer science, and career opportunities in the tech industry.

    Before the formal sessions began, there were entertaining activities, including a singing competition among different schools. It was one of the most enjoyable parts of the event—we couldn’t stop laughing because of how lively and amusing the performances were. Even the faculty in front of us were clearly entertained, laughing and enjoying the moment while watching and eating. However, since the overall program flow was similar to previous conferences, I found myself getting a bit sleepy as I could already anticipate what would happen next.

    Of course, the raffle remained one of the highlights. It took place before the event ended, and luckily, one of our friends won ₱5,000. We were all very happy, and they even treated us to samgyupsal before heading home, which made the experience even more memorable.

    Despite the repetitive nature of the event, I still gained valuable insights. The knowledge shared, especially about cybersecurity and the use of AI, is something I can apply in my future work—even as a multimedia student. These topics remain relevant and important in today’s digital world.

    Overall, the event was well-organized and enjoyable, even though I felt sleepy at times due to the program flow. It was also nice to see more prizes and winners this year. Although we didn’t win, we still went home full and happy.

    For future improvements, better ventilation would really help, as it was quite hot during the event. Additionally, improving the quality of the meals—especially the rice—would make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for participants.

    Still, IRCITE 2026 was a meaningful experience that combined learning, fun, and shared moments with friends. Looking forward to more engaging and refreshing events in the future!