Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) 18th Foundation Week sparked a journey towards sustainable research with its Faculty Research Colloquium. The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration, and celebrating academic excellence, all aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Hermie V. Articona, Director of the Research Promotion and Coordination Office (RPCO), outlined their goals: to embed sustainability within the institution and contribute to the SDGs through research. He encouraged participants to delve into fields like smart technologies, renewable energy, and climate change, highlighting upcoming ideation summits, workshops, and research centers dedicated to finding sustainable solutions.

“This year, our goal is to fully support the publication of research works of our faculty members abroad,” said Dr. Articona, about the institution’s goals in research. “Also, we will continuously hold ideation summits, research colloquia for faculty members and students, research proposal workshops, and other events that would help nurture our ‘innovation’ gene. We are also planning to put up research centers at Mapúa MCL and pushing for more research collaborations.”

The following research studies were presented:

• “Students’ Academic Performance Comparison under Different Modalities of Mapúa MCL FLUX for Engineering Dynamics.” aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and SDG 4: Quality Education by Prof. Ramon P. Velasco from the College of Arts and Science
• “Development of a Web-Based Student Curriculum Guide and Portfolio.” aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education by Prof. Khristian G. Kikuchi from the College of Computer and Information Science

“Teaching Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to Secondary School Students using Online Interactive Course.” aligned with SDG 13: Climate Action by Prof. Banjie G. Sarmiento from the College of Health Sciences

• “The Role of Loan-Related Risk Appetite in the Relationship Between Financial Risk Consideration and MSME Growth Decision: A Mediation ” aligned with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by Prof. Donn Enrique L. Moreno from the E.T. Yuchengco College of Business
• “Development of Wood-Plastic Soil Tray Composite (WPSTC) using Polymerized Coir-Wood Dust for Green Roof ” aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by Ar. Wilfredo G. Gacutan and Engr. Hermie M. Del Pilar from the Mapúa Institute of Technology Laguna.

The colloquium not only showcased successful research endeavors but also served as a powerful call to action. By recognizing and encouraging further exploration in sustainable fields, Mapúa MCL paves the way for a brighter future, both for its institution and the community.