Adamson organizes international conference
Date Posted: October 9, 2017 at 04:24 PM
After jointly hosting with the St. Vincent School of Theology the highly successful Concilium International Conference last June 29-July 1, 2017, Adamson University organized yet another academic international gathering. It was called 1st International Conference on Redesigning, Re-engineering Academic Directions for Global Competitiveness (ICRRADGC) held at the Manila Hotel on September 28-29, 2017.
ICRRADGC brought together government officials, academics from within and outside the country, students, and industry movers to reflect on how education can put technology to its advantage. A total of 374 participants attended the conference.
In his welcome remarks, Adamson University President Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, CM, mentioned the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and how the association has envisioned inter-government cooperation and facilitated economic, political, educational and cultural development among member-nations. He also said that Adamson University is celebrating its 85th year as an educational institution. Against these backgrounds, he asked what could be done to further ASEAN integration and what must be done to maximize Adamson graduates’ adaptive skills, innovation and social responsibility in the broader arena of social and cultural development of our nation. “The challenge of the conference is to explore and discuss what adjustments can be made on established policies, what innovations can be done on time-tested processes, and what best practices shall be the way for us to move forward,” he said in concluding his welcome message.
The keynote speaker was Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He was introduced by Fr. Andrew S. Bayal, CM – VP for Student Affairs of Adamson University. Sec. Dela Peña started his talk by mentioning Vigormin, an organo-mineral product for effective septic system management and good sanitation invented by one of Adamson’s faculty in chemical engineering Dr. Merlinda Palencia and Mr. Clifford Dural. He said that DOST and Adamson partnered in supporting its development and production, with DOST providing the machines and equipment and Adamson investing in the land and plant in Batangas. He encouraged other schools to follow Adamson’s lead. He also mentioned in passing the pioneering efforts of the university in chemical engineering and industrial engineering education.
The main focus of his keynote speech, however, was the thrust of his department encapsulated in the tagline Science for the People. DOST was placing a prominent role for science, technology and the creative arts to enhance innovation and creative capacity. Its strategic plan for 2017-2022 had both a long-term and an intermediate vision. Its 10-point agenda included, among others, collaboration of science, technology and the creative arts; contribution in creating productivity and competitiveness in different sectors; promotion of rural development; and investment in human capital development, such as DOST scholars. He also mentioned that what the Pres. Duterte wanted to achieve was to reduce inequality, increase opportunity and expand potential for growth.
The first plenary speaker was Dr. Izmail M.D. Zain from the Department of Educational Technology, Institute of Teacher Education, Malaysia. The dean of the Graduate School of Adamson University, Dr. Servillano T. Marquez, Jr, introduced him. Dr. Zain discussed Technologies and Best Practices in Teaching and Learning.
Ms. Diane Eustaquio, Executive Director of IdeaSpace, was the second plenary speaker. Dr. Venusmar C. Quevedo, VP for Administrative Affairs, introduced her. Ms. Eustaquio first expressed her admiration for Adamson students who had successfully submitted proposals to IdeaSpace and encouraged them to continue doing so. IdeaSpace helps budding technology entrepreneurs develop groundbreaking solutions and transform these into successful commercial products. In her talk, she said that IdeaSpace Inspires (such as conducting Technopreneur bootcamps); Incubates (like funding startups); and Integrates (it builds partnerships and links with government). She advised researchers and entrepreneurs to think long term or take the long lens and opt for what she termed angel inverstors.
The participants broke up for concurrent sessions in the afternoon of the first day with a good number of topics to choose from. Among these were Incubation and Innovation and New Business Ideas and Tech Applications; Software Engineering; and Best Practices. Under these main topics, a number of researches and studies were presented by scientists, professors, students and researchers from Adamson, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of Luzon, Thatong Muang Phitsanulok, Jose Rizal University, Fukushima College-Japan, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of Malaysia-Sabah, Office of Basic Education Commission-Ministry of Education-Thailand, and Chung-Ang University-Seoul-Korea.
The second day saw the presentations of two more plenary speakers. Dr. Abhiruj Chiangsom, Director of International Affairs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Thailand was introduced by Ms. Perlita M. Crucis, dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Takayuki Nakamura, President of the National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College, Japan, was introduced by Fr. Rafael K. Eloriaga, CM, VP for Financial Affairs.
Before the closing ceremonies, two more discussions were held, namely on PatSnap (Patent Search, Innovation Intelligence and IP Analytics) delivered by Ms. Laura Choo and on SCOPUS by Mr Pio Salvador Ramon Omana. PatSnap is the leading IP Analytic and Management platform that empowers even non IP-proficient users to gain crucial insights.n It helps search patents to identify opportunities, monitor competition and innovate faster. SCOPUS is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature like scientific journals, books and conference proceedings.
The conference selected three Best Papers. For Session I, it was Redesigning An Environmental Friendly Mini-Remote Controlled Mosquito Capturing Device by Sunthini Futim, Nutdanai Wongveeradachakajohn and Yiamsiri Chailaipanich from the STEM Program Phitsanulok Pittiyakon School, 1 Thatong Muang Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand. For Session II, the paper Huetag A Multi-Colored Fiducial Marker Syste With Robust Lighting Immunity by Dominic Orga of Adamson University was chosen. Session III had Innovation Of Hotel And Resort Industry In Pangasinan: The Servqual Model by Donna Joy A. Mangada, Jeanica Joson and Alvin O. Carillo of the University of Luzon as Best Paper.
Dr. Catherine Castaneda, VP for Academic Affairs, formally ended the conference with her closing remarks on a hopeful note that the academic discussions would encourage fruitful results in the future.
