𝗶-𝗔𝗖𝗧𝟰𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
As part of the i-ACT4SmartCity, a panel discussion titled Strengthening Industry-Academe Collaboration took center stage, gathering industry leaders to discuss the critical role of partnerships in driving technological advancements. The discussion aimed to explore how universities, as innovation hubs, can align their research and talent development efforts with the needs of industries to spur economic growth, particularly in the Cagayan Valley Region.
Zalven Dayao, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fullstack Engineer & AI Research Scientist at MultiplAI Tech, shared his insights on the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize industries and urban development. He emphasized that academic research plays a key role in developing AI solutions that address real-world challenges, and that stronger collaboration with industry can accelerate the commercialization of these innovations.
Mars Cacacho, Founder of HacktheNorth Ph, highlighted the importance of hackathons and innovation challenges as platforms where academic talent and industry needs converge. He stressed the need for universities to create environments that encourage students to think entrepreneurially and collaborate with industry professionals to co-create solutions for pressing issues such as smart city development.
Dann Angelo De Guzman, Founder & CEO of Cloudswyft, discussed the role of technology in transforming education. He emphasized the importance of experiential learning and industry-academe partnerships in equipping students with the skills required for the digital economy. De Guzman shared how Cloudswyft collaborates with educational institutions to provide virtual labs and digital learning platforms that allow students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.
Throughout the discussion, the plenary speakers agreed that industry-academe collaboration is essential for ensuring that academic innovations have a tangible impact on society. This panel discussion reinforced the notion that innovation thrives when universities and industries work hand-in-hand. By fostering strong partnerships, both sectors can ensure that the next generation of technologies, particularly in Smart City development, is grounded in cutting-edge research and geared toward practical, scalable solutions.
#SDG8DecentWorkAndEconomicGrowth
#SDG9IndustryInnovationAndInfrastructure
#SDG11SustainableCitiesAndCommunities

