WCC ATC convened researchers, educators, professionals, and representatives from higher education institutions for RISE ICREATE 2026, held on May 25–26, 2026, at the Cabin Hall of WCC ATC Binalonan Campus, under the theme “Advancing Research through Artificial Intelligence Integration for Sustainable Futures.”
The two-day conference examined how artificial intelligence can be integrated into research, teaching, professional practice, and innovation. Its program included international keynote presentations, interdisciplinary discussions, and an AI Readiness Forum that gave participants opportunities to exchange perspectives on the responsible and practical use of emerging technologies.
The keynote speakers were Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, CESO III, Director IV of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I; Dr. Panagiotis “Panos” Panagiotakopoulos, AI thought leader and professor at the School of Global Business of Seneca Polytechnic in Canada; and Prof. Dr. Ir. Adhi Dharma Wibawa, ST., MT., head of the AI and Digital Technology Study Center at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember in Surabaya, Indonesia.
On the other hand, the AI Readiness Forum featured Prof. Padmanabha Ramanujam, professor and dean of the Office of Academic Governance at O.P. Jindal Global University in India, and Engr. Leonora F. Quarte, Education Supervisor II at the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I.
RISE ICREATE 2026 also featured the AI Readiness Consortium Commitment Wall Signing. Through the activity, participating higher education institutions expressed their shared commitment to responsible AI integration and continued academic cooperation.
The participating institutions were Baguio Central University, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Pangasinan Polytechnic College, Pangasinan State University, Philippine College of Science and Technology, Urdaneta City University, Universidad de Dagupan, University of Eastern Pangasinan, University of Luzon, WCC Aeronautical and Technological College–North Manila, and World Citi Colleges.
By bringing institutions and professionals together around research and AI readiness, the conference supported SDG 4: Quality Education through discussions on technology-enabled learning and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through academic exchange and institutional collaboration.
