The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), led by UA&P President Dr. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog, welcomed key officials from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) and Monte Jade Science and Technology Association (GSTA) on July 14, 2025.

Joining the delegation were representatives from the Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of the National College of Public Administration (NCPAG) of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, who have been actively engaging in regional industry-academe collaboration. The UP-NCPAG, through Dr. Enrico Basilio, and the UA&P Center for Research and Communication, through Dr. Bernardo Villegas and Dr. Padojinog, have long been collaborating to advance mutual interests between the Philippines and Taiwan in the areas of academic, inter-industry, and economic cooperation.

The visit aimed to explore potential partnerships that align with UA&P’s thrust toward international collaboration, faculty development, and executive education. In particular, UA&P’s Strategic Business Economics Program (SBEP)—a flagship program known for developing senior business leaders in the Philippines—was discussed as a possible platform for academic field exposure and complementation with Taiwan Tech’s Executive Master’s Program (EMP). 

In line with Taiwan Tech’s strong graduate programs in engineering and technology, opportunities were also discussed for UA&P to further strengthen its faculty bench by sending engineering instructors to Taiwan Tech for doctoral studies, supporting the University’s long-term plans for academic excellence.

Taiwan Tech’s visit is part of a broader initiative spearheaded by Taiwan’s Monte Jade and academic partners in the Philippines to form a consortium of universities committed to bridging academe and industry between the two countries. The collaboration also seeks to foster interindustry connections between the two countries, particularly in the fields of business management, economics, data science, and business analytics. 

The initiative is also in support of commitments under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), aimed at helping promote foreign direct investments in the Philippines, particularly from Taiwan, which is actively seeking to diversify its industrial footprint for geopolitical and economic resilience.

Seated (L-R): UA&P senior economist Dr. Victor Abola, Taiwan Tech College of Engineering (COE) Associate Dean Prof. Chen-Hao Wang, UA&P President Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, Taiwan Tech COE Dean Prof. Ming-Jyh Chern, UP-NCPAG CPED Director Dr. Henry Basilio, and Monte Jade (GSTA) Executive Secretary-General and UP-NCPAG Senior Fellow Mr. Shawn Lin.

Standing (L-R): BS Data Science Program OIC Dr. Eva Rodriguez, BS Data Science Program Director Ms. Kimberly May Vallesteros, SBEP Program Manager Ms. Alonica Salazar, Master in Applied Business Analytics Program Director Dr. Ruel Maningas, and School of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology Dean Dr. Noemi Barcial-Torre.

Also present were Ms. Ying-Hui Jhou, Secretary of Taiwan Tech COE, and Mr. Joey Loristo from UP-NCPAG.