Written by Marianne Basoyang (STELA)
Baguio City, Philippines – Associate Professor Thanapauge Chamaratana from Khon Kaen University’s (KKU) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HUSO) visited the University of Baguio to build academic and research collaborations. He also toured the city’s innovative tech-driven urban solutions.
Prof. Chamaratana met with UB’s International Linkages Office Director, Ms. Melanie Saro, alongside staff Ms. Angelica Tamayo and Ms. Janica Palkit. He held discussions with School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) Dean Dr. Antonio Mangaliag, BA Political Science Program Chair Marianne Basoyang, and the Director of Research, Innovation, Extension, and Community Outreach (RIECO) office, Dr. Donnavila Marie Panday-Herbster, to explore HUSO partnerships.
Exploring the Future of Baguio’s Smart City Goal through a Courtesy Call to its International Partners
Beyond campus, he paid a courtesy call to the City Administrator’s Office, where a KKU exchange student is interning. Prof. Chamaratana praised the hands-on training, noting the students’ insights would enrich experiences back in Thailand.
Highlights included a tour of the Youth Innovation Hub-SIGLAT (Synergize, Innovation, and Gravitate Leadership towards Adaptive Technologies). Ms. Mica Rimando, Senior Economist of the Youth Innovation Hub explained how the platform empowers youth to boost urban safety and well-being by sharing creative problem-solving ideas.
Prof. Chamaratana concluded at Baguio’s Smart City Command Center (SCC), which uses tech for real-time monitoring of navigation, public convenience, emergency response, weather, and air/noise pollution. Mr Lawrence Nabus, Network Support Specialist of the SCC presented the city’s present operations, including future plans towards Baguio’s transformation as a Smart City.
The visit underscores growing international interest in Baguio’s blend of education and smart urban development setting the stage for KKU-UB exchanges.
