Mapúa MCL Emerges as a Leading Academic Research Hub in CALABARZON

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) continues to strengthen its standing as a major academic research hub in the CALABARZON region, propelled by a surge in high-impact research output, the establishment of specialized research centers, and the successful acquisition of externally funded projects.

According to the Research Promotion and Coordination Office (RPCO), Mapúa MCL achieved several milestones this year, including the publication and acceptance of 180 research papers in Scopus-indexed journals and conference proceedings. The institution also secured three externally funded research projects—two under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Grants-in-Aid program and one under the Strengthening University Enterprise Collaboration for Resilient Communities in Asia (SECRA) project funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program.

Further reinforcing its research ecosystem, Mapúa MCL formally launched three research centers: the Center for Sustainable Water Solutions (CSWS), the Center for Computational Innovations and Sustainability (CCIS), and the Center for Research in Emerging and Sustainable Technologies (CREST).

Over the past academic year, Mapúa MCL faculty researchers presented their work at international conferences across Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and Australia. These engagements covered a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, computing, business, environmental science, sustainability, communication, and education.

The institution has also expanded its global and local research partnerships. Recently, Mapúa MCL published a collaborative research paper in ScienceDirect as part of an international partnership. It likewise joined forces with Sunway University in Malaysia for the “Inspire Collab: Global Partnership Engagement Conference,” in collaboration with leading Malaysian universities.

“Through active participation in global academic networks, our researchers form strong collaborations that lead to joint publications, shared datasets, and cross-border studies,” said Dr. Hermie V. Articona, Director of the Mapúa MCL Research Promotion and Coordination Office. “These partnerships also enable exchange programs, benchmarking, and research mentoring, ensuring that our academic community remains globally competitive and open to interdisciplinary collaboration.”

On the local front, Mapúa MCL continues to work closely with industry partners such as Condura, STMicroelectronics, Microchip, Ampleon, and various government agencies. These collaborations support applied research initiatives in engineering, environmental studies, communication, and technological innovation, while providing valuable learning opportunities for both faculty members and students.

Mapúa MCL remains committed to nurturing a strong research culture by providing incentives, mentorship, and structured training programs for faculty, academic administrators, and students.

“Research enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation,” Articona added. “For students, it improves employability and readiness for industry, graduate studies, or entrepreneurship. For faculty members, it enriches teaching and strengthens professional credibility. Together, these efforts elevate Mapúa MCL’s academic reputation both regionally and globally.”

Looking ahead, Mapúa MCL plans to expand its research initiatives in sustainable agriculture, eco-informatics, emerging sustainable technologies, water studies, and business analytics. These efforts will be aligned with the Harmonized Regional R&D Agenda (HRRDA) of DOST CALABARZON to ensure greater regional impact. The institution also aims to strengthen its presence in global rankings such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education (THE), and the World University Ranking for Innovation (WURI).

Long-term plans include the enhancement of existing research centers, the establishment of an Intellectual Property Management Office, and the creation of a Technical Business Incubation (TBI) Hub to expand industry-linked and community-based research initiatives addressing socio-economic challenges in CALABARZON.

In 2025, Mapúa MCL earned a spot in the WURI Global Top 400 Innovative Universities, ranking 286th overall, and placed 24th in Ethics and Integrity, 36th in Infrastructure and Technologies, and 26th in Cost-Benefit Management. The institution also ranked in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 and previously received a three-star rating in the QS Stars Rating 2024.

Established in 2014, the Mapúa MCL Research Promotion and Coordination Office continues to advance the institution’s vision of embedding research as a core academic pillar, positioning Mapúa MCL as an emerging center of excellence in engineering, environment, information technology, business, maritime, multimedia arts, communication, health sciences, and aviation—contributing to the development of resilient communities across CALABARZON.