In its continued pursuit of academic excellence and industry relevance, Lyceum of the Philippines University–Batangas (LPU-B) convened its Institutional Industry Board of Advisors for Academic Year 2025–2026 at Discovery Primea, Makati City on July 31, 2025. The event gathered some of the country’s top industry leaders across various fields, marking another milestone in the university’s commitment to aligning its programs with global trends and workforce demands.
The program opened with a compelling address from University President Dr. Peter P. Laurel, who underscored the significance of strategic partnerships between the academe and industry. He emphasized that the university’s direction remains focused on innovation, inclusivity, and producing globally competitive graduates. Dr. Laurel also outlined LPU-B’s key initiatives and strategic priorities, setting the tone for a results-driven dialogue throughout the day.
Following this, LPU-B’s executive team, fondly referred to as the “power team,” was introduced to the board. The introduction served to reinforce the university’s strength in leadership, showcasing its readiness to collaborate closely with industry advisors in pursuit of transformative education.
Dr. Cecilia C. Pring, Vice President for Academics and Research, then presented updates on the university’s academic program highlights. Her presentation covered curriculum enhancements, internationalization efforts, graduate employability, research productivity, and innovations in instruction and learning technologies.
The core of the program was the Industry Dialogue and Forum, which created a space for open discussion, insights exchange, and collaborative planning between the university leaders and the esteemed board members. The dialogue focused on emerging trends, skills gaps, and potential areas for future academic-industry synergy.
The event concluded with a synthesis of the discussions, the agreement on actionable recommendations, and a formal signing of the commitment—symbolizing the mutual dedication of both LPU-B and its industry partners to sustain quality, relevance, and innovation in higher education.
The closing message was delivered by Mr. Paolo S. Laurel, Vice President for Institutional Affairs, who reaffirmed the university’s gratitude for the valuable insights shared and reiterated LPU-B’s commitment to translating these into tangible academic improvements.
The 2025–2026 Industry Board of Advisors includes distinguished leaders from various sectors:
- Mr. Arturo P. Boncato Jr. – Group General Manager, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts
- Mr. Rollie Dela Cruz – Portfolio Manager, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia
- Mr. Jack Madrid – President and CEO, Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)
- Mr. Jessie Pana – Operations Manager, Wagenborg Solarlink Inc.
- Dr. Donald Patrick Lim – Chief Innovation Officer, Udenna Corporation; President and COO, DITO
- Atty. Jose Maria Ochave – President, UNILAB Education; Senior Vice President, Growth Leadership Unit-2, United Laboratories, Inc.
By engaging top-tier industry professionals as advisors, LPU-B ensures that its academic offerings remain responsive to the evolving needs of the global workforce.
