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University of Mindanao Brings Impactful Innovations to the Global Stage at the 1st AUAP–WURI Impact Summit 2026
Reinforcing its position as a globally engaged institution committed to innovation and sustainable development, the University of Mindanao (UM) actively participated in the 1st AUAP–WURI Impact Summit 2026 (AWIS 2026) held on July 9–10, 2026 at ICONSIAM, Bangkok, Thailand. The international gathering convened higher education leaders, researchers, innovators, and policymakers from across Asia and beyond under the theme, "University Innovation in Partnership with Government: Policy, Mechanism, and Impact." The summit featured keynote addresses, plenary sessions, institutional innovation case presentations, expert mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities that highlighted universities' contributions to national development and global sustainability.
Representing the University of Mindanao was a delegation from the Research and Innovation Center led by Dr. Maria Linda B. Arquiza, Vice President for Research and Innovation, together with Dr. Joel B. Tan, Assistant Vice President for Business and Social Science Studies, Mr. Conrado Jr. B. Panerio, Director of the Institute of Social Welfare and Human Development, and Engr. Roumel S. Alvarez of the Center of Green Nanotechnology Innovations for Environmental Solutions (CGNIES). Their participation reflects the University's continuing commitment to advancing research excellence, innovation, and international collaboration.
As one of the invited institutions, the University of Mindanao showcased its transformative innovations through institutional case presentations that demonstrated how research and technology can create meaningful societal impact. The University's featured initiatives included the Open Competency Passport (OCP): Integrating Industry, Competencies, and AI for Workforce-Ready Graduates, WATT-A-RIDE: A Coin-Operated Electromobility Prototype, Sustainable Smart Concrete from Local Waste Streams: Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure, Tech4Adlai: Technology Solutions for Sustainable and High-Value Adlai Production, and e-4PsMap: A Data-Analytics-Driven 4Ps Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Monitoring System. These innovations exemplify the University's interdisciplinary approach to addressing pressing social, environmental, educational, and technological challenges while generating measurable impact for communities.
Beyond presenting institutional innovations, the summit enabled the UM delegation to engage with global experts, university leaders, and industry partners in discussions on future-ready higher education, digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation governance. These engagements foster opportunities for future international collaborations, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships that further strengthen the University's research and innovation ecosystem.
The University's participation in the inaugural AUAP–WURI Impact Summit underscores its unwavering support for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17: Partnerships for the Goals, recognizing that impactful innovation is achieved through meaningful collaboration among universities, governments, industries, and communities. By strengthening global networks and sharing best practices in innovation, the University of Mindanao continues to contribute to addressing local and global challenges through research-driven solutions.
As the University expands its international footprint, its participation in AWIS 2026 affirms its vision of becoming "a leading globally engaged university creating sustainable impact in society." Through impactful innovations, strategic partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to research excellence, the University of Mindanao continues to empower communities, advance sustainable development, and position Philippine higher education on the global stage.
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