(from left to right) Ar. Alexandra B. Malcampo, Ar. Josah Marie V. Pesaña, Ar. Martinee Legarde Llemit, Gwenneaver Lao Ano-os, Krisha Denise Ledesma Bautista, Terexia Cañas Montebon, and Angelica Gwyne Valerio.
From March 28 to 31, 2025, four Bachelor of Science in Architecture students from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao made their mark on the international stage as they represented the institution at the 5th International Civil Engineering and Architecture Conference (CEAC 2025) held at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.
Sponsored by the Chemical and Materials Society of Hong Kong and the Chemical, Biology and Environmental Engineering Society, CEAC 2025 brought together researchers, scientists, engineers, and scholars from around the world. Under the leadership of Conference Chair Prof. C. W. Lim of the City University of Hong Kong, the event served as a platform for interdisciplinary discussions on pressing challenges and innovations in civil engineering and architecture.
The student researchers—Gwenneaver Lao Ano-os, Krisha Denise Ledesma Bautista, Terexia Cañas Montebon, and Angelica Gwyne Valerio—attended the conference where their research studies on architectural lighting and regulatory compliance were presented by their faculty mentors. Their projects, titled “A Comparative Analysis on the Lighting Conditions of Ambient and Task Lighting and Their Impact on the Productivity of Architecture Students: A Study in the Classroom and Library Settings” and “An Assessment of Compliance with Building Regulations of Residential Structures in UEESZ-Tagged Las Terrazas Subdivision,” offered valuable contributions to ongoing discussions on sustainable design and urban planning.
Guided by faculty mentors Ar. Martinee L. Llemit, UAP, Ar. Alexandra B. Malcampo, UAP, and Ar. Josah Marie V. Pesaña, UAP, the students actively engaged with global experts, participated in academic symposiums and workshops, and broadened their perspectives on architecture’s evolving role in shaping future cities.
This participation also marked a milestone as the first research initiative credited under the Student Global Experience (SGE) course, further solidifying the institution’s commitment to international academic exposure and research excellence.
Reflecting on the experience, as one student delegates, Krisha Denise Ledesma Bautista shared:
“It became a core memory since it was the first conference we attended as undergraduates. It gave us opportunities to meet other experienced architects and engineers. It became a highlight because it serves as a lesson on what to look forward to when we have our defense.”
CEAC 2025 reaffirmed the importance of collaboration and global dialogue in addressing architectural and engineering challenges. For these students, it was not only a milestone in their academic journey, but also a glimpse into the professional world they are soon to enter.
For inquiries about international engagement, please contact the Center for International Programs at iprogram@mcm.edu.ph. To learn more about upcoming international activities, sign up on Engage through this link https://engage.mcm.edu.ph/ and join the Center for International Programs (CIP) Engage page, where you can access the full list of activities.