Hans Cecilio Bosshard, a BS Electronics Engineering student from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) at the University of the Philippines Diliman, has been awarded the Grand Prize in the Satellite Observation Data Utilization Contest 2025, organized by the WNI WxBUNKA Foundation.

The award was formally announced during the online ceremony held on 10 February 2026. The competition brings together students from across the Asia-Pacific region and challenges them to independently receive, process, and analyze satellite observation data using ground-based reception systems. Submissions underwent a rigorous selection process evaluating technical execution, data interpretation, and reporting.

Hans participated in the contest with mentorship from Bernard Alan B. Racoma, PhD, faculty member of the UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM). The project was undertaken as an extracurricular initiative.

As Grand Prize winner, Hans will take part in a five-day educational study trip to Japan, which includes visits to meteorological institutions and facilities. A highlight of the program is an educational visit to the SHIRASE icebreaker, Japan’s Antarctic research vessel. The award also includes a cash prize.

The organizers have announced that the next call for applications to the Satellite Observation Data Utilization Contest is planned for Spring/Summer 2026.

The official announcement from the WNI WxBUNKA Foundation is available on their website.