Ateneo de Manila University recognized as an Outstanding Strategic Partner for Research at Mapúa MCL IZN Highlights 2025

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL) continues its journey toward internationalization with a grand celebration of collaboration and innovation at the Mapúa MCL IZN Highlights held on February 3, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Mapúa MCL Covered Court. This event served as a special recognition ceremony, honoring the invaluable contributions of MMCL’s industry and academic partners leading to their transformative global journey.

From left to right: Mr Anthony Hilmer S Medrano (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MMCL); Ms Maribel G Songsong (Vice President for Academic Affairs of MMCL); Mr Bryan James Erfe (Business Development Officer of AIPO), Mr Steve Chaves (Head of AIPO Ideation Support), and Dr Dodjie S Maestrecampo (President and Chief Executive Officer, Mapúa University)

Ateneo de Manila University was among the distinguished awardees, recognized as an Outstanding Strategic Partner for Research for its unwavering support and collaboration in elevating MMCL to greater heights. Representing Ateneo at the event were Mr Steve Chaves, Head of Ideation Support of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO), and Mr Bryan James Erfe, Business Development Officer of AIPO. 

Strengthening University-Enterprise Collaboration for Resilient Communities

One of the significant collaborations between MMCL and Ateneo de Manila University was the recently concluded Strengthening University-Enterprise Collaboration for Resilient Communities in Asia (SECRA) project. SECRA was a three-year initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union that brought together Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from six partner countries—Sweden, Estonia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. The project aims to enhance disaster risk reduction and resilience in Asian communities by fostering stronger collaborations between universities, public authorities, non-government organizations (NGOs), and industries.

Photo: The SECRA Philippine Team composed of Mapúa MCL, Ateneo de Manila University, and Philippine Normal University

Through SECRA, Ateneo's Department of Environmental Science, the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability, the  Ateneo Research Institute for Science and Engineering (ARISE), the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM), and the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) played a vital role in building capacity for corporate start-up labs and enterprise engagement. These efforts helped bridge the gap between academia and industry, creating innovative solutions for community resilience and sustainability.

A Celebration of Milestones and Future Collaborations

Ateneo de Manila University’s recognition as an Outstanding Strategic Partner for Research reaffirms its shared vision with MMCL in fostering an ecosystem of innovation, research, and enterprise development. This highlights the importance of university-industry cooperation in shaping the future of education and societal resilience. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to expanding opportunities for academic-industry engagement and paving the way for more impactful collaborations that will drive global progress.