On April 27, 2026, SPIK and the University of Santo Tomas – Center for Continuing Professional Education and Development (UST-CCPED) held a virtual meeting to discuss collaborative opportunities. Both parties sought to engage industry practitioners as facilitators to support UST-CCPED’s professional education initiatives.

The meeting resulted in the identification of key areas for collaboration. First, the two organizations planned to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and implement professional education and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs. They also agreed on executing an MOU with the UST Department of Biochemistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy to facilitate both local and international internship opportunities in the field of Biochemistry. Additionally, SPIK and UST intended to enter into an MOU with the Tomasino Center to advance business incubation and technopreneurship programs for high school and college students, particularly those studying Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, and other STEM-related disciplines.

These efforts aligned with the ASCEND pillars of the Chemical Industry Roadmap, and SPIK expressed confidence that the collaboration would advance both the chemical industry and academic sectors. The meeting included SPIK President Engr. Aldrich Bentilanon, SPIK Education, Research and Innovation Committee (SERIC) Chair, Ms. Mary Grace San Jose, Mr. Andrew N. Gonzalez of the UST Department of Biochemistry, and SPIK Executive Officer Antonette Fallarme.