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| (Image Source: Facebook/Batangas State University - The National Engineering University) |
Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship as it successfully hosted the Sustainability Summit 2025 last March 19, 2025 at BatStateU's Pablo Borbon Campus. Themed "Usapang Sustainability 2025: Innovating Green Practices For Higher Education Institutions", the summit convened experts, academics, and sustainability advocates to advance sustainable development through education, research, and innovation.
"At Batangas State University, we recognize the responsibility we carry as the Philippines' National Engineering University. We are fully committed to supporting the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and take this mission seriously in shaping a more sustainable future — not just for our community, but for the world," shared BatStateU President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo in his welcome address as he underscored the pivotal role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in advancing sustainability. Acknowledging the pressing climate challenges faced by the country, he urged educators, innovators, and leaders to work collectively in driving sustainable solutions that will shape a greener, more resilient future. The summit featured distinguished international and local speakers sharing insights on various sustainability challenges and solutions. Keynote speaker Dr. Michelle Palumbarit, Director of UP-CIFAL Philippines, set the tone for the discussions by highlighting the intersection of sustainability, governance, and technological innovation. She emphasized the urgent need for collaborative global efforts to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), calling for higher education institutions to lead in environmental advocacy. The summit's plenary sessions covered a wide range of sustainability topics, each addressing critical global and local environmental challenges:
• Waste Management & Resource Conservation: Renowned Indonesian professors Dr. Danar Guruh Pratomo of Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Dr. Rizkiy Amaliyah Barakwan ST. of Universitas Airlangga, and Suci Wulan Pawhestri M.Si of Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung tackled sustainable waste reduction strategies, innovations in food and waste management, and the efficient use of water and energy on university campuses.
• Green & Smart Infrastructure: Prof. Christopher Lund of Murdoch University in Australia explored sustainable urban planning and green building standards, emphasizing smart campus innovations that align with environmental conservation efforts.
• Marine Conservation & Climate Resilience: AUX LCDR Jayvee A. Saco, Ph.D., head of VIP CORALS at BatStateU, presented groundbreaking marine conservation research. At the same time, Dr. Marte Gutierrez from Colorado School of Mines in the USA highlighted universities' role in climate resilience and carbon reduction.
Apart from the technical sessions, the summit facilitated dynamic Q&A segments, knowledge-sharing forums, and networking opportunities. These engagements allowed student leaders, faculty, and researchers to exchange ideas and foster cross-sector collaborations for future sustainability projects. BatStateU's Sustainable Development Officer Dr. Vaberlie P. Mandane-Garcia delivered the closing remarks, urging participants to champion sustainability within their respective fields, emphasizing, "We are not just fostering solutions but opening doors to hope. I believe that through our collective efforts, we can drive meaningful change and create impact for future generations."
As BatStateU takes the lead in championing sustainability, the summit marks the beginning of a broader initiative to embed green innovations across higher education institutions — driving transformative change for a more sustainable world.
