UPLB joined forces with three other Asian universities to conduct the 20th International Symposium on Advanced Technology (ISAT-20).

ISAT-20, themed “Advanced Technologies for SDGs,” was held virtually on Nov. 23-24 spearheaded by Japan’s Kogakuin University of Technology and Engineering (KUTE), alongside UPLB, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST), and the University of Danang-University of Science and Technology (UD-DUT.

The conference opened on Nov. 23 with messages from the heads of the four participating universities.

KUTE President Shinichiro Ito noted that ISAT was an excellent opportunity to gather wisdom regarding science and technology and continuously contribute to the development of a sustainable society.

STUST President Deng-Maw Lu expressed excitement at the scientific and technological ideas that would be presented at ISAT-20 and hoped that soon the world’s scholars would be able to gather once more post-COVID.

UD-DUT Rector Doan Quang Vinh stated his strong belief that the ISAT-20 would be very productive, and that the fruits of the conference would be certain to contribute to achieving the United Nation’s 17 SDGs.

UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. talked about interconnectedness with regard to the ISAT-20 topics and the SDGs, as well as the importance of inclusivity.

“It is imperative that we work together to be part of not only finding and developing sound and sustainable solutions to our society’s most pressing concerns, but also of striving to make these solutions and technologies more inclusive and accessible especially to communities and nations which need them most,” Chancellor Camacho said.

The conference consisted of keynote presentations by esteemed speakers, followed by oral presentations and “lightning talk” pre-recorded sessions.

The topics for the presentations and sessions ran the gamut from biochemistry, food science, electric and electronic engineering, computational science, advanced functional materials, energy and transportation, information and communications technology, human studies, architecture, and environmental chemistry. (Albert Geoffred B. Peralta)