- October 16, 2025
Mapúa MCL Hosts ASEAN Month Masterclass on Research and Innovation
On September 11, 2025, the spirit of collaboration and innovation took center stage at Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) as the institution, through its Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), brought together experts from Mapúa University and Sunway University for a Masterclass on Research and Innovation in celebration of the 58th founding anniversary of the ASEAN.
Held at the Global Classroom, the event featured three distinguished speakers: Prof. Ir Denny K. S. Ng, Professor and Head of the School of Engineering and Technology at Sunway University, Malaysia, Dr. Jonathan L. Salvacion, Director for Mapúa University’s Directed Research for Innovation and Values Enrichment (DRIVE), and Dr. Hermie V. Articona, Mapúa MCL’s Director for Research Promotion and Coordination Office (RPCO). These experts shared powerful insights on building collaborative research, pursuing strategic academic pathways, and keeping pace with emerging trends in ASEAN research and innovation.
Prof. Ng explained how research serves as the cornerstone of Sunway University’s growth, driving its academic excellence, strengthening its global partnerships, and fostering innovations that contribute to both institutional development and societal impact.
Afterwards, Dr. Articona emphasized why higher education institutions must forge partnerships with the ASEAN neighbors, citing the region’s diverse resources, thematic areas of research, and the complementary strengths of academic institutions. It also outlined the roles of various stakeholders, emphasizing that supportive institutional environments, active researcher engagement, and enabling government policies that streamline processes are critical to the success of regional collaboration.
Meanwhile, Dr. Salvacion discussed the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI 2016–2025), which prioritizes digital transformation, green technologies, health and biotechnology, and startup ecosystems. Also noted during the discussion is the rapid growth of patent activity in Southeast Asia, the rise of green trade dynamics, and the role of startups in driving fintech, agritech, and edtech. Dr. Salvacion concluded that ASEAN’s innovation future lies in combining global synergies with local strengths, aligning national roadmaps such as the Philippines’ Pagtanaw 2050 with broader regional and global initiatives.
More than just lectures, the Masterclass served as an opportunity for students, faculty, and researchers to engage with thought leaders and gain inspiration for their own academic journeys. It highlighted the crucial role of higher education institutions in shaping knowledge-driven communities, while also emphasizing the shared responsibility of nations in advancing sustainable research.
The event reinforced Mapúa MCL’s strong commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly in promoting quality education (SDG 4), supporting industry and innovation (SDG 9), and building partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
By bridging institutions and fostering dialogue across borders, Mapúa MCL continues to carve its place as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and global citizenship in the ASEAN region and beyond.
