NDMU Advances International Research and Collaboration for Sustainable Development Through Global Academic Partnerships

Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) strengthened its commitment to international research and collaboration for sustainable development throughout 2025 through institutional partnerships, research agreements, and international research presentations. These initiatives involved engagements with the Marist International Network of Higher Education, University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia, the ASEAN Accounting Education Workgroup (AAEW), and international academic researchers at the Future Education Conference in Bali, Indonesia. NDMU also established research partnerships with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XII and the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) to address public health and social development concerns.

Through Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), collaborative research, and scholarly presentations, NDMU exchanges knowledge, compares institutional practices, and contributes Philippine perspectives to broader academic discussions. These collaborations can inform evidence-based policymaking, the development of institutional frameworks, and the adaptation of effective practices to address shared challenges. Together, these initiatives support NDMU’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation and advance approaches aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strengthening Global Academic Networks

From April 26 to May 11, 2025, NDMU President Br. Paterno S. Corpus, FMS, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Joan P. Palma represented the University at the 11th Assembly of the Marist International Network of Higher Education in Rome, Italy. The gathering brought together more than 40 delegates from Marist institutions worldwide to discuss internationalization, Marist identity, and collaborative strategies for higher education.

Dr. Palma’s election to the network’s Board of Directors as representative of English-speaking institutions further strengthened NDMU’s participation in international academic governance. The network provides a platform for exchanging institutional experiences, sharing best practices, and coordinating collaborative initiatives across different educational and cultural contexts.

NDMU also joined the ASEAN Accounting Education Workgroup (AAEW) through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on October 28, 2025, at CamEd Business School in Cambodia. This regional partnership supports cooperation in accounting education, research, innovation, professional development, and curriculum enhancement among institutions in Southeast Asia.

Advancing International Research and Knowledge Exchange

NDMU faculty members participated in the 8th Future Education Conference in Bali, Indonesia, on July 17–18, 2025, alongside researchers from 35 countries. Dr. Wilter C. Friales presented research on leadership development among young school leaders, co-authored with Mrs. Leann Jester D. Rosali. Dr. Judy Castillo presented her dissertation research on Indigenous approaches to science teaching and received the Best Presenter award in the Teaching and Learning category. These presentations contributed Philippine educational perspectives to international scholarly discussions and facilitated exchanges on research methods, educational leadership, and teaching practices.

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The University also advanced collaborative research addressing pressing social and public health concerns. In September 2025, NDMU partnered with the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) to conduct research on teenage pregnancy, with findings intended to inform evidence-based policies and interventions for young people.

Similarly, NDMU and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XII formalized a research partnership on September 29, 2025, to investigate the behavioral and social drivers of childhood vaccination in selected low-coverage areas of South Cotabato. Supported by a ₱351,800 research grant, the project examines vaccine confidence, community influences, and barriers to access, with the goal of developing evidence-based recommendations for local health programs.

Building Institutional Capacity for Responsible Research

On March 14, 2025, NDMU established its Ethics Review Board (ERB) to strengthen ethical oversight of research involving human participants. The board reviews research protocols, informed consent procedures, confidentiality safeguards, and participant welfare, supporting responsible and credible research practices in the University and the wider research community.

NDMU also participated in the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XII’s internationalization initiatives, including an awareness discussion on internationalization in higher education and an orientation and consultation meeting on internationalization strategies, global rankings, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These engagements helped strengthen institutional understanding of international partnerships, global academic standards, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

Contribution to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

NDMU’s international academic networks, research collaborations, conference participation, and institutional partnerships demonstrate its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17): Partnerships for the Goals. Through collaboration with international higher education institutions, regional academic networks, and national research agencies, the University facilitates knowledge exchange, comparative learning, and the development of evidence-based approaches to education, public health, and social development.

These initiatives contribute particularly to SDG Target 17.16, which promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships that share knowledge, expertise, and resources. The documented activities provide evidence of NDMU’s institutional engagement in collaborative research and the exchange of academic practices. Where research outputs explicitly compare approaches or identify transferable best practices for addressing the SDGs, these may provide more direct evidence for reporting under SDG 17.2.4.