March 31, 2025

Mapúa MCL Strengthens Global Presence at APAIE 2025 Conference and Exhibition

By: Ivana Ruth Vidal

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) has once again demonstrated its commitment to international collaboration and academic excellence through its active participation in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2025 Conference and Exhibition. Held from March 24 to 28 at the Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre) in New Delhi, India, this prestigious event brought together educational leaders from around the globe to discuss and promote international education initiatives.

With the theme “Cultivating Global Citizens for the Future: The Higher Education Imperative in the Asia Pacific and Beyond,” APAIE 2025 provided a platform for institutions to exchange insights and establish new partnerships that shape the future of higher education. Representing Mapúa MCL were Prof. James Ronald Mesina, Assistant Vice President for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL), Ms. Pearl Stephanie Ulep, Director for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), and Ms. Ivana Ruth Vidal, Program Assistant for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE).

During the conference, Mapúa MCL achieved significant milestones by formalizing partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with six reputable institutions: Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Chandigarh University, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Presidency University, The NorthCap University, and Üsküdar University. These partnerships aim to foster student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and joint academic programs.

In addition to forging new alliances, Mapúa MCL engaged in productive discussions regarding Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives and explored potential collaborations with the French university, Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées, to enhance its aviation programs.

The institution also reinforced its ongoing partnerships with esteemed universities such as Sunway University (Malaysia), Binus University (Indonesia), Management and Science University (Malaysia), Chitkara University (India), King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand), and Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (Malaysia). These efforts have paved the way for several engagements now being arranged for students and faculty, including exchange programs, collaborative projects, and virtual learning opportunities.

Mapúa MCL also took the opportunity to meet with Rick Shaw, President of Cintana Education, further solidifying connections within the global education community.

Throughout APAIE 2025, Mapúa MCL remained actively engaged in insightful conversations and strategic networking, further advancing its mission of providing transformative and globally oriented learning experiences for students and faculty.

This commitment to global partnerships and inclusive, quality education aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By fostering international collaboration and broadening educational access, Mapúa MCL continues to contribute to the achievement of these global objectives.