QCU Strengthens Global Research and Innovation Presence at ICON and IRCPAS 3.0 in Malaysia
Quezon City University (QCU) reinforced its commitment to global research collaboration and innovation as it participated in the Innovation Congress (ICON) and International Research Conference on Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences 3.0 (IRCPAS 3.0) held from March 26 to 28, 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Organized by the Asia-Pacific Consortium of Researchers and Educators (APCORE) and UCSI University, the international conference gathered university leaders, researchers, innovators, faculty members, and students from different countries to discuss emerging trends in innovation, artificial intelligence, research commercialization, ethics, and future-ready education.
The 19-member QCU delegation was led by Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, University President, alongside faculty members, researchers, and students who represented the University in plenary discussions, research presentations, innovation showcases, and academic partnership activities.
A major highlight of the conference was QCU’s formal recognition as an academic partner of the joint conference through a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony facilitated by APCORE. President Atienza joined representatives from partner universities across Asia in strengthening international linkages for research, innovation, instruction, and institutional development.
During the conference, Dr. Atienza participated as a plenary speaker in discussions on ethical innovation and human-centered technological development. She emphasized the importance of ethical leadership, social responsibility, and inclusive innovation in higher education, while showcasing QCU’s initiatives in robotics, sustainability, research, and community engagement.
QCU delegates also actively participated in various breakout sessions covering science, technology, engineering, health sciences, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and innovation studies. Faculty researchers presented studies on AI integration in education and healthcare, robotics and IoT applications, entrepreneurship, sustainability, consumer behavior, and data analytics.
Among the notable presentations was the study of Dr. Atienza and Ms. Jodi Pilar titled “Baseline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Calorie Labeling Among Consumers in Quezon City, Philippines,” which highlighted the need for stronger nutrition education and policy interventions to support healthier consumer choices.
QCU also earned international recognition through the achievements of its faculty and students. Dr. Mary Jean Jayobo of the College of Computer Studies received the Best Research Paper Award in the Science, Technology, and Engineering On-site Category for her study on an online purchasing analytics and recommendation system using K-Medoids Clustering.
Meanwhile, Mr. John Daniel Cimanes, a fourth-year Electronics Engineering student, won a Gold Medal in the Commercialization Category during the “Innovation in a Flash” sessions for the project “CANOPHEX: From Space to Soil: A Smart Sustainable Reforestation System.” The project demonstrated strong potential as a sustainable technology solution for environmental challenges.
QCU also showcased its growing robotics program through the QCU1 Robotics Team exhibit led by Mr. Cimanes and Mr. Marc Laurence Pariñas. Their robotics booth highlighted practical applications of engineering design, automation, and programming, further demonstrating the University’s capacity to transform academic learning into real-world technological innovation.
Through its active participation in ICON and IRCPAS 3.0, QCU strengthened its international academic presence while advancing its commitment to research excellence, innovation, ethical leadership, and global collaboration.
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