On March 29, 2023, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification, Inc (GBCI) hosted the Leadership in Energy and Environment (LEED) in Southeast Asia Series in Dusit Thani Manila in Makati, Philippines. The series includes an Exclusive Panel Discussion with different field professionals including Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) President and Chief Executive Operator, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo.
The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from GBCI’s Associate Director for Marketing Development, Mr. Rohith Ravula. The panel discussion focused on Building Design, Construction, and Performance Monitoring for Higher Efficiency towards Net Zero. Zero-Energy Buildings or Net Zero Buildings are infrastructures with no net carbon emissions during its construction and operation. During the Exclusive Panel Discussion, Dr. Maestrecampo explained why Mapua MCL opted for a LEED education. He said, “Mapúa Malayan Colleges is a professional higher education institution that specializes in acquiring knowledge and skills in a specific profession. Our strategy is to produce triple-threat graduates who finish college with a broad education in the form of a bachelor’s degree but is also armed with these three critical outcomes such as (1) engagement in several long-term projects, (2)
extensive work experience through an academically linked internship and on-the-job training, and (3) an industry-recognized credential.”
Mapúa MCL is the first school in Southeast Asia to subscribe to LEED learning modules. Dr. Maestrecampo mentioned that “Incorporating LEED learning modules into our curricula will allow our students to qualify for LEED certification. And through our partnership with US Green Building Council and LEED-certified consultants, we can provide opportunities for students to engage in long-term sustainable building projects, including working with companies on real-world projects that aim to achieve LEED certification, hitting all the outcomes of our triple-threat approach. Furthermore, we need to instill the sense of social responsibility and a culture of sustainability to empower the future generation of workforce to become responsible leaders and citizens of the world.“
The other panelists, Ms. Charmaine Uy, the President & COO of Daiichi Properties; Mr. Darneil Perez the BA Director Places & Country Director of ARCADIS Philippines; Mr. Eric John C. Enriquez, the VP -Megaworld Premier Offices from Megaworld Corporation; Ar. Kristina Samantha Pobre, the Sustainability Manager of ArthaLand Corporation; and as well as the panel moderator, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, the Managing Director of Green Business Certification Institute Pvt. Ltd. shared their experiences and expertise, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort in practicing sustainability and developing net zero buildings. They also discussed the importance of performance monitoring to ensure that buildings continue to operate efficiently over time.
High greenhouse gases emission and the lack of sustainability are some of our world’s biggest issues nowadays — and Mapúa MCL being a part of discussions like these truly proves that the institution will constantly strive to contribute solutions to our society’s problems with excellence and virtue.