BATANGAS CITY — Batangas State University, The National Engineering University successfully hosted the 6th International Research Conference on Innovations in Engineering, Science, and Technology (IRCIEST), November 22-24.
6th IRCIEST is a biennial conference organized and spearheaded by Batangas State University since 2013. Centered around the theme “Propelling Transformations and Accelerating Reforms through Research and Innovations,” this year’s IRCIEST facilitated in-depth discussions among researchers, academics, industry professionals, and students from both national and international landscapes to delve into the forefronts of cutting-edge advancements in various thematic areas. Aimed to drive comprehensive transformations across academic domains and broader societal contexts, the conference also empowered diverse stakeholders, enabling them to adapt and thrive within an ever-evolving global landscape.
“As we chart the evolution of this international research conference, each theme from previous years—ranging from the inaugural theme “Beyond Borders: Advancing Engineering, Science, and Technology for Multidisciplinary Convergence” in 2013 to the current focus on “Propelling Transformations and Accelerating Reforms through Research and Innovations”—tells a story of ambitious growth and the relentless pursuit of knowledge in the face of an ever-changing global narrative.,” University President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo expressed as he reflected on the preceding years of IRCIEST.
6th IRCIEST Conference Chair Engr. Albertson D. Amante acknowledged the co-host universities—The Indian Maritime University, College of Estate Management and Universiti of Teknologi Malaysia, for partnering with BatStateU in this much-awaited endeavor. He also extended his appreciation to the panel speakers and innovation leaders who graced this significant event.
The Director of the Office of Education of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Michelle Chen delivered the keynote address, highlighting the support and initiatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in fostering government, university, and industry ties to make innovation a key driver of prosperity in the Philippines. She made a special mention of Dr. Ronquillo’s close partnership with USAID in strengthening the Philippine higher education capacity by implementing innovative diagnostics with all state universities and colleges (SUCs) and leading the creation of the platform for innovating state universities and colleges 4.0.
“As a partner in prosperity, the United States remains firmly committed to supporting the Philippines in its goals of making innovation the engine of prosperity and inclusive growth”, Ms. Chen shared in her concluding keynote speech.
The conference featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, and masterclasses with academicians, researchers, and innovators from the Philippines, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Singapore, India, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam as resource speakers.
Plenary Session:
- Dr. MALINI V. SHANKAR, IAS (Retd) /Vice Chancellor, Indian Maritime University
Panel discussion on University Models of Sustainable Innovation
- Dr. MUHAMMAD RANA, Lecturer, University College of Estate Management, United Kingdom
Topic: Redefining Higher Education: UCEM’s Online and Sustainable Approach to Innovation
- Prof. KOU IKEJIMA, VP for Education, Kochi University, Japan
Topic: Kochi University’s Initiatives for Regional Sustainability and Innovation
- Dr. CHUA-CHIN WANG, VP for Research and Development, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan
Topic: Introduction to IC Design and Advanced Technology Research
of National Sun Yat-sen University
- Dr. NURZAL EFFIYANA BINTI GHAZALI, Director, Center for Engineering Education, University of Technology in Malaysia
Topic: Sustainability, Innovations and Futures Thinking in Engineering Education
Panel discussion on Innovation Ecosystem Development
- Dr. RAYNELL A. INOJOSA,Senior Science Research Specialist,Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)
Topic: Towards a Sustainable Philippine Space Ecosystem
- Mr. NEIL JADHAV, Co-founder and CEO of MMC (Map My Crop), New York, USA
Topic: Unlocking the Potential: Satellite Imagery Applications Across Diverse Landscapes
- Dr. MARK ANGELO PURIO, Head, Space Technologies & Applications Research Laboratory, Adamson University, Philippines
Topic: Beyond Boundaries: Fostering Collaboration and Nurturing Future Filipino Space Engineers
Panel discussion on Beyond the Stars: Unveiling the Future of Space Applications
- Mr. NIKITA YUDIN
Project Coordinator, Innovation Ecosystem Department, Baku, Azerbaijan
- Mr. ANISH ANTHONY, Chief Operations Officer, T-Hub, India
- Dr. LUKMAN, S.T., M.Hum., Director, Organizational Management,
Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology
Director, PRIME STEP
- Mr. NEELESH BHATIA, Senior Associate Director, NUS Enterprise, National University of Singapore
- Ms. RUSSELL PILI
Chief, Research Information and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), Philippines
- Representatives from Cambodia, Laos PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam
Panel discussion on “Conquering the Valley of Death”
- Engr. AISA MIJENO-LABASTILLA, Founder , SALt Lamp – Sustainable Alternative Lighting
- Mr. JAE MAMORBOR, Founder and CEO, TakeFive Outdoors
- Engr. SERGIO O. RAMOS III, MSc., President, PCI Teach Innovations Center, Inc.
Parallel Masterclasses
- Engr. LORENZ YATCO, Field Engineer, Braemac
A Modular Approach to Research and Development: Hardware powered, software enabled
- Engr. JOSE MIGUEL B. REYES, Applications Engineer, Cad-IT Consultants (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Solving Real-World Problems with ANSYS Computer-Aided Engineering
- Dr. SHEEJA JANARDHANAN, Associate Professor and Head, School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Indian Maritime University Visakhapatnam Campus
A Numerical Perspective in Ship and Ocean Hydrodynamics
- Dr. NURZAL EFFIYANA BINTI GHAZALI, Director, Center for Engineering Education, University of Technology in Malaysia
AI in the Classroom – Empowering Educators
Tackling artificial intelligence, automation and control, biochemistry and molecular biology, data science and analytics, electronics, energy and environment, engineering education, food and agriculture, information & communication technology, instrumentation and control, marine science, materials science, nanotechnology, science and technology education, and technopreneurship, over 47 papers were accepted and presented during the parallel sessions.
Finally, Atty. Luzviminda C. Rosales, Vice President for Administration and Finance extended heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions, culminating in the resounding success of the 6th IRCIEST.
Batangas State University is the Philippines’ National Engineering University by virtue of Republic Act No. 11694. Renowned for its engineering education excellence, this Level-IV state university has produced over 180 engineering board topnotchers, cementing its position as the country’s largest engineering university. Notably, BatStateU is the first and, thus far, the only state university in the Philippines with engineering and computing programs accredited by ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission and Computing Accreditation Commission. Batangas State University. (BatStateU) has earned three stars in the QS Stars Rating. Furthermore, it was ranked as the 351st World’s Most Sustainable University in the 2022 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings and is also recognized as the 90th most innovative University globally in the prestigious World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2023 and secured a notable ranking between 601st-800th among 1,591 universities from 112 countries/regions in the THE Impact Rankings 2023.
