by Maria Theresa B. Panzo | Sep 19 2024
The Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) hosts the 2024 International Conference on UN SDGs and Social Innovation (ICUNSSI) on September 18-19, 2024. This flagship conference of the University is a testament to its dedication and commitment to attaining the UN SDGs through social innovation.
Partner institutions for this Conference include MSU-Marawi, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yuchengco Center, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Association of IIT Alumni Foundation Incorporated, MSU-General Santos, the Local Government Unit of Iligan City, Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao, and CTP Construction and Mining Corporation.
The 2024 ICUNSSI highlights multidisciplinarity in its theme, “Belongingness and Interconnectedness: Magnifying Development and Innovation.”
The theme is sub-grouped into three tracks: Well-being, Economics, and Environment. Each track covers specific SDGs. Well-being includes SDGs such as No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Communities. The Economics track covers Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Reduced Inequalities; Responsible Consumption and Production; and Partnerships for the Goals. The Environment track includes Climate Action, Life on Land, and Life Below Water.
Selected papers will be endorsed to the following journals: Sustainable Engineering and Innovation Journal; Heritage and Sustainable Development Journal, Asia-Pacific Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering; Asia-Pacific Journal of Social Innovation; and Langkit: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. The first two journals are Scopus-indexed.
In his message during the Opening Program of the conference, MSU-IIT Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan noted the diversity of the organizing agencies and the participants. This he considered positive and encouraging.
“Our heterogeneity speaks of the trans-disciplinary nature of our solutions. This in itself is an example of social innovation.
He further emphasized the need to work collaboratively as it can lead to more significant strides and achievements like the SDGs.
“The individual contributes to the universal. It shows that our goals belong with each other, and that our solutions that our solutions that impact one impact all.”
Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, Director of the Program on Resilient Communities at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, delivers the keynote speech. Plenary speakers include Dr. Jerome Montemayo, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment; Dr. Surya Raghu, Founder and President of Advanced Fluidics; Bro. Dennis Magbanua, De La Salle Brother Hongkong Sector, St Joseph’s College; Prof. Kent E. Carpenter, Biological Sciences professor at Old Dominion University; Dr. Mega Hidayati, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta; Ms. Hannah Stoddard, Program Manage for the Program on Resilient Communities at the Harvard Humanitarian Institute; Dr. Maria Carinnes Alejandria, Assistant Professor at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam; and Dr. Konstantinos Balis, Deputy Head of the Division for Sustainable Development at the Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University in Thailand.