On July 10, 2025, the ASCEND Team held a virtual meeting with representatives from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) to advance collaborative efforts under the Board of Investments’ (BOI) flagship Academe-Industry Matching (AIM!) Program.

The meeting brought together ASEAN Engr. Albert Samuela and BOI’s Ms. Geraldine Buela, along with Nalco interns, who engaged with UPD Chemical Engineering Department’s Industry Linkage Officer and Associate Professor Julie Anne D.R. Paraggua to solidify plans for an industrial-academic linkage project.

During the discussion, Associate Professor Paraggua shared valuable insights and guidance, emphasizing the university’s commitment to aligning research and education with the evolving demands of the chemical industry. She also stressed the importance of refining the program to better appeal to potential partners and achieve its strategic goals.

Both parties reaffirmed ASCEND’S core mission: to co-create solutions that connect industry expertise with academic research. Through such collaborations, ASCEND seeks to develop a strong talent pipeline for the chemicals sector, drive the commercialization of innovative research, and strengthen the Philippines’ role as a regional hub for chemical innovation and industrial growth.