SHAPING THE FUTURE: SPUP'S 9TH IIRC DRIVES SMART, SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL INNOVATION
May 18, 2026
Facebook
X
Email
St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP) successfully hosted its 9th International Interdisciplinary Research Conference (IIRC) from May 14 to 16, 2026, at the SPUP Global Center, convening educators, researchers, professionals, and students from the Philippines and abroad for an exchange of research and innovation.
The conference formally commenced on May 14, 2026, with a pre-conference program that featured a session titled “Data Science for Sustainable Futures,” delivered by Dr. Stephen Redillas of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and the University of South Australia. The pre-conference activities concluded with the signing of Memoranda of Agreement and Understanding with partner institutions, underscoring SPUP’s commitment to strengthening academic collaboration and research partnerships.
Anchored on the theme “Futures Thinking: Smart, Sustainable, and Socially Responsive Research and Innovations,” the conference provided an international and interdisciplinary platform for the presentation and critical discussion of studies aimed at addressing present and future societal challenges. The event emphasized ethically grounded, sustainability-driven, and innovation-oriented research while fostering meaningful academic partnerships and knowledge-sharing networks at the local, national, and international levels.
The main conference opened on May 15, 2026. In her welcome message, Sr. Merceditas Ang, SPC, (University President), highlighted the university’s commitment to research excellence and social responsibility. The opening day’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Dong-Sung Cho, (founder of the World University Rankings for Innovation), who presented “Mechanism-Based View (MBV) for Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability,” offering strategic insights on building sustainable and impactful organizations and academic institutions in the global arena. In the afternoon, Fr. Stephen Redillas, OP PhD delivered a plenary talk titled “Futures Imagination in Research and Innovation,” encouraging participants to adopt forward-looking perspectives in research and development. The day concluded with additional academic sessions, a campus tour, and a welcome dinner with cultural presentations.
The second day of the conference continued with a plenary session led by Dr. Tahani Abdo Ahmed Alqadri of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, who presented “Healthcare Innovations and Sustainability,” highlighting the role of innovation in strengthening healthcare systems. In the afternoon, Mr. Shermon O. Cruz, APF, (founder and executive director of Chief Futurist Consulting and Engagement Services and chief engagement program officer of Northwestern University Philippines), delivered his talk “From ESG to Regenerative Futures: Expanding the Knowledge Base of Sustainability and Innovation Research,” challenging participants to move beyond conventional sustainability approaches toward more regenerative and future-focused research paradigms.
The event featured concurrent research presentations from educators, researchers, professionals, and students across diverse fields, including Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health; Teacher Education and Social Sciences; Engineering and Information Technology; Business, Tourism, and Hospitality; Humanities, Spirituality, and Arts; and Sustainable Innovations and Creative Works.
The 9th SPUP IIRC was hosted by St. Paul University Philippines, with the support of its international and institutional co-hosts, including the Education Centre of Australia (Sydney, Australia), Tokushima University (Japan), Burjell Holdings LLC (United Arab Emirates), Kementerian Pendidikan Politeknik Makassar (Indonesia), and Kalinga State University (Philippines).Through this collaborative effort, SPUP once again affirms its role as a hub for interdisciplinary scholarship toward a smarter, more sustainable, and socially responsive future.
By Ms. Clarissa B. Orpilla; Mr. Ronnie Ballad; Mr. Aeltheo Balubal
LATEST NEWS
