De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) held the 2nd DLSL Senior High School International Research Forum on March 7, 2025, reinforcing its commitment to global academic collaboration and research excellence. Themed “Empowering the Next Generation: Youth-Driven Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” the event gathered students from Wakasa Senior High School in Fukui, Japan, selected schools from CALABARZON, and virtual participants from CCC Tam Lee Lai Fun Memorial School in Hong Kong, St. Joseph’s Institution in Singapore, and Nuannuan Senior High School in Taiwan. Held at the DLSL Learning Resource Center, the forum served as a platform for knowledge exchange, cultural interaction, and research-driven discussions on pressing global issues.
The forum featured Dr. Andres Philip Mayol, Associate Professor at the Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Management at De La Salle University-Manila and Research Fellow at the Algae Bio-Innovation Global Hub under the Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research (CESDR), as the plenary speaker. Dr. Mayol shared insights on finding one’s passion and interests as key drivers of research breakthroughs, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and collaboration. “We have to have collaborators who have the same passion and interests,” he noted, highlighting how shared enthusiasm fuels meaningful innovations. He also inspired participants with his message: “Every one of you will be changemakers. All of us are changemakers. Just keep the fire burning.”
A key highlight of the forum was the presentation of collaborative research projects by students from DLSL Senior High School, Wakasa Senior High School, and Nuannuan Senior High School from Taiwan. These student-led initiatives tackled pressing environmental and societal challenges, offering real-world solutions aimed at sustainability and innovation. The international research partnerships underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing complex global concerns.
DLSL Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academics-College, Dr. Nerissa Lucasia, who delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academics-Integrated School, Ms. Kristine Anne Dimaculangan, emphasized the significance of research in shaping future leaders. “Your engagement in research allows you to understand the issues that require urgent solutions. More importantly, it empowers you to become the innovators who will create these solutions. The work you do today will not only impact our present generation but will also define the future for you and those who will come after you,” Dr. Lucasia remarked. She also highlighted the event as an opportunity for cultural exchange, stating, “With participants from various countries, we are not just sharing research, but we are also learning from each other’s perspectives, traditions, and experiences.”
The event featured a dynamic lineup of activities, which also included parallel paper presentations in the afternoon. Beyond research discussions, the forum also included cultural performances that celebrated the diverse backgrounds of participants, reinforcing the spirit of global unity and cooperation.
Through this international research conference, De La Salle Lipa continues to welcome a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful collaboration, bringing together young minds from different parts of the world to strengthen global academic ties and empower the next generation as catalysts for change. With its strengthened internationalization efforts, more opportunities for cross-border research collaborations, academic exchanges, and cultural learning experiences are expected to emerge. By continuously fostering global partnerships, the institution equips students with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to address complex global challenges. As DLSL remains committed to academic excellence and transformative education, initiatives like this reaffirm its role in shaping future changemakers, united by a shared vision for a more sustainable and innovative world.
Written by Cristina Alfarita Larombi
Source: DLSL