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| (Image Source: Batangas State University, The National Engineering University) |
With bold steps toward fostering research that drives global transformation, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), officially hosted the 7th International Research Conference on Innovations in Engineering, Science, and Technology (IRCIEST) last October 22-24, 2025 at BatStateU Pablo Borbon Campus, reaffirming its leadership in propelling innovation and research excellence across the country and the ASEAN region. Anchored on the theme “Engineering The Future: Transformative Research For Global Advancement”, this year’s biennial conference gathered delegates from across the Philippines and abroad including faculty researchers, policy experts, government officials, and industry partners to explore research breakthroughs and practical solutions toward the realization of national and global sustainable development goals.
BatStateU The NEU President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo welcomed innovators, researchers, academicians, and visionaries from different regions and countries at the conference's opening program last October 22. He pointed out that the growth of IRCIEST over the past 12 years reflects both the original vision of the initiative and the evolving challenges of today’s world, remarking, “The importance of this conference goes beyond mere statistics or publications… it is about translating knowledge into real-world applications that benefit communities, industries, and nations.” The opening program was further enriched by the acknowledgment of co-hosts and partner institutions led by Conference Chair and BatStateU Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension Services Engr. Albertson D. Amante. Representing a strong international network, this year’s co-hosts include Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) in Vietnam, Indian Maritime University (IMU) in India, University of the Built Environment in the United Kingdom, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). From the local research landscape, the conference is co-hosted by Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST), Caraga State University (CSU), Cavite State University (CvSU), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Ifugao State University (IFSU), Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), Kalinga State University (KSU), Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Rizal Technological University (RTU), Samar State University (SSU), and University of Southern Mindanao (USM). The conference also proudly collaborated with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which showcased its landmark commercialization initiative center stage, Inno.Venta 2025 — an innovation marketplace that aims to accelerate the deployment of Filipino R&D outputs to industry and community.
A highlight of the opening program was the Keynote Message delivered by Dr. Muhammad Qasim Rana, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Built Environment in the United Kingdom. His thought-provoking discourse on “Transformative Research In The Age Of The Fourth Industrial Revolution” laid a critical foundation for the conference’s intellectual direction. Dr. Rana emphasized the importance of harnessing emerging technologies — such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital twins, and quantum computing — not only to drive innovation but also to ensure responsible and inclusive development. He explained that the Fourth Industrial Revolution demands a new generation of researchers with qualities such as empathetic leadership, systems thinking, cultural intelligence, and adaptive foresight to effectively navigate and shape technological change. Moreover, he also shared his perspective on the rapid pace of technological advancements: “Because each innovation accelerates the previous one, we will see which is the most efficient these days. This is meant to enhance our decision-making, speed, and sustainability, which are already in progress. The purpose of the Industrial Revolution is to transform how we design, produce, govern, and consume. It aims to bridge the gap between technology, human value systems, ethical innovation, inclusive innovation, climate change, and sustainability.” In closing, Dr. Rana left the audience with a thought-provoking challenge: “I am leaving you with these questions: Are we ready for a dynamic transformation? Are we ready for the challenges and opportunities posed by Artificial Intelligence?”
Aside from the Inno.Venta Innovation Marketplace, highlights of the conference held in the succeeding days included cutting-edge plenary talks, multi-track paper presentations, and thematic panel sessions on topics ranging from robotics and automation, machine learning, and green technologies, to AI, technopreneurship, agriculture, climate resilience, and university innovation ecosystems featuring resource speakers comprising of academicians, researchers, and innovators from the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam as well as immersive panel forums with leaders from the government, academia, and industry — including DOST, CHED, PEZA, IPOPHL, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In convening thought leaders, researchers, technologists, and students under one roof, the 7th IRCIEST serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action, furthering BatStateU’s vision of engineering a future driven by purpose and progress.
