In a landmark move to usher in global convergence of scientific and scholarly minds, Rizal Technological University (RTU) co-hosted the 9th International Conference on CSR & Sustainable Development and the 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Computing, in collaboration with the Society for Education and Research Development (SERD), on June 8 and 9, 2026. The conferences welcomed onsite and online presentations from researchers hailing from India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Spearheaded by the RTU’s International Affairs and Linkages Office (IALO), headed by Assoc. Prof. Donato Estocada, the conferences served as a platform for studies on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development to be presented and reviewed by panels of experts from both RTU and Indian institutions.
Receiving strong support from the University Officials, the event was officially opened by Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco, who highlighted the significance of the conferences. She also recognized the contributions of researchers in furthering international development and global progress, underscoring the efforts of Rizaliano and foreign researchers in conducting high-impact studies that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Magno M. Quendangan, RTU Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, also graced the event, welcoming the presenters, participants, and the audience with a profound talk on how the conferences align with the University’s mission of creating impact in society through meaningful research.
The president of SERD, Dr. Vikas Kumar, set the conference’s structure and agenda, highlighting its significance as a reminder of everyone’s responsibility to align business practices and CSR with sustainable initiatives that support development.
The initiative also received major international support from the government, as Dr. Johnny Chotrani, the chairperson of the Philippines-India Business Council, attended the event to deliver his message of support for the program. He underscored the role of academic research and education in advancing sustainable initiatives and practices in business.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the keynote address of Dr. Fortunato Dela Peña, former Secretary of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology and currently a University Researcher at RTU. In his speech, he said he wished the government would back academia’s research efforts by passing legislation that strengthens its support for scientific and scholarly initiatives.
He also outlined how the two conferences and the studies presented can help address environmental and community problems, recognizing the roles of industry, civil service groups, and the wider educational community in a shared commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship and innovative green practices.
At the same event, SERD also announced the winners of the SERD Sustainability Award 2025, with several university officials among them. Dr. Yangco, Dr. Quendangan, Dr. Fortunato, and Assoc. Prof. Estocada was among the awardees.
The two simultaneous conferences rigorously scrutinized 79 scholarly presentations across 13 technical sessions, each evaluated by panels of experts in research and specialized disciplines.
From these presentations, 12 papers were awarded Best Paper Awards, recognizing the rigor and impact of the research presented in improving CSR practices and supporting sustainability in business and computing. Of these 12 papers, three Rizaliano research papers were chosen as Best Papers, including Dr. Samuel Balbin’s “Exploratory Development and Preliminary Validation of a Dual-Perspective Smart Campus Readiness Assessment Scale in a Philippine State University”; Dr. Melvin Ambida’s “Culturally Mediated Pedagogy in Graduate Online Learning: A Phenomenological Study of Inclusivity Challenges and Faculty Strategies”; and Instr. Cheryl Lyn Ayuste’s “Multivariate Assessment of Physicochemical Stressors in Selected Aquatic Ecosystems of Cavite and Batangas, Philippines”.
The event eventually came to a close on its second day, marked by the Valedictory Address delivered by Assoc. Prof. John Estrellado, Director of Research Management Office (RMO). Assoc. Prof. Estrellado expressed his hope that the research presented at the two-day simultaneous conferences will translate into actionable initiatives that will help improve sustainable practices across the globe.
Beyond a scholarly exercise of reviewing research papers, the two conferences were also a celebration of a shared goal of furthering academic excellence and research collaborations across nations.
The event also served as an opportunity to exchange cultural heritage as Kultura Rizalia, the official cultural dance group of RTU, performed various traditional Philippine dances throughout the program. The visiting professors from India also danced to Indian music during the conference’s socialization night.
As a research-oriented technological institution, Pandayang Rizalia continues to create opportunities for scholarly exchange and discussions, providing platforms for both Rizaliano and international researchers to present impactful research that supports its commitment to academic and research excellence.
