RTU academic members join the APCoRE-PIKSI 2023 in Bandung, Indonesia

Dr. Airene Gumiran of the College of Education (CEd), Asst. Prof. John Eric Estrellado of the College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accountancy (CBEA), and Dr. Julius Meneses, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services (VPRIES), also the President of the Asia Pacific Consortium of Researchers and Educators (APCoRE) Philippines, joined this year’s APCoRE-PIKSI Hybrid International Conference at the Grand Asrilia Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia, August 29–31.

The three-day conference was organized in collaboration with several colleges and universities from the Philippines, Politeknik Piksi Ganesha of Indonesia, and Academic International Consortium of Indonesia (AIC-Indonesia), with the support of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED), SEAMEO Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (CECCEP), and other affiliated organizations. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) endorsed the academic event.

The conference convened academic leaders and scholars from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, focusing on the theme of “Sustainable Research and Education: Trajectories, Hopes, Alarms, and Expectations.” The representatives from RTU were provided with the opportunity to deliver presentations on their research papers, with a specific focus on education and business management. In addition, the participants had the chance to engage in master classes, partake in an academic visit, embark on cultural tours, and participate in numerous networking activities.

Another notable part of the conference was the plenary and keynote sessions that centered on the future of sustainable education and research. Distinguished speakers from various regions of the Asia Pacific, such as Dr. Veeranoot Nissapatorn from Walailak University Thailand; Dr. Mohd Jailani Bin Mohd Nor from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia; Dr. Aisyah Endah Palupi, Education and Cultural Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila; Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, President of Quezon City University Philippines; Dr. Ignasi Ribo from Mae Fah Luang University Thailand; Dr. Alexander J. Klemm from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thailand; Dr. Atiar Rahman from the University of Chittagong Bangladesh; and Dr. H. K. Prihartono Ah, Director of Politeknik Piksi Ganesha Indonesia, among others, contributed their expertise and inspired the delegates with their talks.

Participating colleges, universities, publishers, and research organizations from Asia-Pacific countries signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding to promote international collaborations, making the event more significant.

By: John Eric O. Estrellado (UCPA)