- March 27, 2026
Mapúa MCL strengthens global engagement at APAIE 2026 Conference in Hong Kong
By: Pearl Stephanie D. Ulep
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) reaffirmed its commitment to global engagement and international collaboration through its active participation in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference, held in Hong Kong from February 23 to 27, 2026. Carrying the theme “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good,” the conference gathered higher education leaders, international relations practitioners, and academic institutions from across the world to explore partnerships that advance education, research, and innovation.
Mapúa MCL’s participation reflects its growing engagement with the APAIE community. The institution initially joined the conference as a delegate at APAIE 2023 and APAIE 2024, before advancing its presence as an exhibitor at APAIE 2025 and continuing in this role at APAIE 2026, further demonstrating its commitment to expanding international partnerships and strengthening its global visibility.
As part of the international exhibition, Mapúa MCL participated as an exhibitor, showcasing the institution’s academic strengths, global initiatives, and partnership opportunities through its dedicated booth. The exhibition served as a platform to connect with over 3,000 delegates from universities, organizations, and other stakeholders interested in collaborative programs, student mobility, and research partnerships.
Strategic Partnerships through MOU Signings
A key highlight of Mapúa MCL’s participation was the formalization of new international partnerships through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with several institutions. Representing Mapúa MCL, Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, Vice President for External Linkages, Internationalization, and Transnational Education (ELITE), led the ceremonial signing that marked the beginning of strengthened global engagement with new partner universities.
The agreements were signed with:
- O.P. Jindal Global University, represented by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. C. Raj Kumar
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (HUMG), represented by its Rector, Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Hai
- Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, represented by Vice Rector Sushardjanti Felasari, ST., M.Sc.CAED., Ph.D., and Director of the Partnership and Promotion Office, Drs. Ign. Agus Putranto, M.Si.
These partnerships aim to foster collaboration in academic exchange, joint research, and institutional development, further expanding Mapúa MCL’s global academic network.
Leadership in Global Dialogue on Partnerships and Mobility
Further contributing to the conference discussions, Prof. Mesina served as session chair and speaker for the Partnerships and Mobility session. His presentation, titled “University Enterprise Collaboration: Quo Vadis?”, examined the evolving landscape of University–Enterprise Collaboration (UEC) across Asia and Europe, drawing insights from the Erasmus+ SECRA Project, spearheaded by the Mid Sweden University Risk and Crisis Research Center.
The presentation explored how collaborative engagement between universities and enterprises can strengthen innovation ecosystems, knowledge exchange, and workforce readiness in a rapidly changing global environment. It also addressed cultural and structural challenges in international collaboration, emphasizing the integration of disaster risk reduction into partnership models while enhancing graduate employability in a risk-aware global landscape.
Joining Prof. Mesina in the same session, Ms. Lianda Rachmadhany Sinaga, Head of the International Partnership Division of Universitas Esa Unggul (UEU), presented the shared practices emerging from the Mapúa MCL–UEU partnership. Her presentation highlighted ongoing efforts to expand joint research initiatives, co-create experiential learning programs, and broaden international mobility opportunities for students and faculty, demonstrating how strategic international collaborations can foster a resilient and globally connected academic ecosystem.
Further showcasing Mapúa MCL’s internationalization efforts, Ms. Pearl Stephanie Ulep delivered a poster presentation titled “Advancing Global Partnerships for Student Success.” The presentation highlighted the institution’s strategic initiatives to strengthen global collaborations that enhance student mobility, employability, and cross-cultural learning experiences.
Advancing Internationalization for Sustainable Development
Through its exhibition presence, partnership-building initiatives, and academic contributions to conference discussions, Mapúa MCL demonstrated its continued commitment to advancing internationalization and cross-sector collaboration.
These efforts reinforce the institution’s role in promoting institutional resilience, global mobility, and collaborative innovation, while contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education and 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Participation in APAIE 2026 marks another milestone in Mapúa MCL’s mission to strengthen global partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for students, faculty, and partner institutions, ultimately contributing to education that serves the global good.
For more information about collaborative partnerships and global engagement, interested parties may contact the External Linkages, Internationalization, and Transnational Education (ELITE) via email at [email protected].
