The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recently recognized Filipino educators as they championed the UNESCO chair’s initiatives in sustainability, global collaboration, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the Philippines.
Through the chair, the organization partners with higher educational institutions (HEIs) and research teams to conduct college-led projects. They serve as think tanks and bridge-builders among academia, civil society, and policymakers in their mutual pursuit to advance knowledge, training, and research.
UNESCO acknowledged De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Management and Information Technology’s dean Dr. Joana Diñoso; SMIT Analytics, Computing, and Infotech Associate dean Dr. Catherine Mojado; and Cybersecurity Program chair Dr. Dennis Alfaro for their contributions.
Chief International Officer and UNESCO chair of Utah Valley University Dr. Baldomero Lago presented the citations during the recently concluded partnership event held inside the Atrium @ Benilde in the City of Manila.
To commence with new learning opportunities, while preparing students and fellow faculty with responsible technology use, the educators have actively led efforts in activating AI within the community.
Their initiatives included applied AI webinars, collaborative research engagements with international partners, joint academic projects, and meaningful outputs with Utah Valley University.
SMIT Faculty Marketing Coordinator and Marketing Management Program chair Erickson Jao noted how the recognition strengthens the college’s position as a learning center where business, technology, research, and social responsibility come together.
Jao explained that “it affirms the growing role of Benilde SMIT-ACI in shaping globally competent information technology, information systems, and cybersecurity professionals who are ready for a fast-changing world.”
He added: “With leaders like them helping drive innovation and global collaboration, Benilde continues to prove that purpose-driven education can help shape a smarter, more sustainable, and more connected future.”
“Through their leadership, Benilde has become an active contributor to the broader goals of the UNESCO chair by promoting innovation, cross-border collaboration, and sustainability- oriented education,” the SMIT official concluded. “Their work reflects what strong academic partnerships can do when ideas move beyond paper and become real programs, real learning, and real impact.”
Patrick Villanueva
Patrick Villanueva is a proofreader at the editorial department of Business Mirror.
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