Strengthening its commitment to strategic collaboration, innovation, and global engagement, the Academe-Industry Advisory Council (AIAC) Forum 2026 served as one of the major highlights of St. Dominic College of Asia’s (SDCA) 6th International Research, Extension, and Linkages Week on March 13, 2026. Bringing together academic leaders, industry stakeholders, international partners, and members of the Dominican academic community, the forum provided a dynamic platform for advancing dialogue on how stronger academic, industry, and global linkages can help shape more responsive, future-ready, and innovation-driven higher education. Anchored on the theme “SPARK: Strengthening Partnership for Academic Research and Knowledge Engagement,” the event highlighted the critical role of collaboration in ensuring that academic institutions remain relevant and impactful in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Muhammad Yusuf, Vice-Rector IV of Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (UNIMUS), Indonesia, challenged institutions to rethink the traditional role of universities in the face of global disruption and emerging societal demands. In his talk titled “The Future of Academic Ecosystems and Global Challenges: Framing Academic Partnerships with Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation,” he emphasized that the changing landscape of higher education calls for a more interconnected and impact-driven approach to learning, research, and institutional development. “The transformation of higher education is not a choice, it is a necessity,” Dr. Yusuf stressed, underscoring the need for universities to evolve from isolated academic spaces into active participants in innovation systems. He further noted that “international collaboration will no longer be symbolic, it will be central to institutional survival and competitiveness,” reinforcing the importance of strategic academic alliances, industry engagement, and entrepreneurial thinking in addressing global challenges.
The forum also featured insights from distinguished international visiting lecturers and industry leaders whose presentations reinforced the value of interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. Dr. Ananya Manmathbhai Mehta, Associate Program Head and Senior Lecturer in Professional Communication at the School of Communication and Design of RMIT University in Vietnam, delivered a plenary session titled “Innovate, Involve, Evolve: The Power of Collaboration and Connections,” where he urged participants to move beyond individual expertise and embrace the transformative power of partnerships. “Collaboration is the admission that you are beautifully, intentionally unfinished,” he remarked, offering a compelling perspective on the need to break silos and build bridges across disciplines and institutions. He further reminded the audience that “The world is looking for the symphony,” emphasizing that success in today’s global environment depends on the ability to work meaningfully with others across diverse fields and contexts. Complementing these perspectives, Prof. Patrick Low, Chief Information Officer of Fintech Academy, Singapore, shared valuable insights on innovation and technology, highlighting the growing importance of digital transformation, technological agility, and innovation-driven thinking in shaping the future of education and industry collaboration.
A significant part of the forum was the recognition of SDCA’s valued partners through the Internationalization of Education Awards. The award included international visiting lecturers, quality assurance partners, institutional academic and industry collaborators, and community partners, whose continued support contributes to the College’s mission of delivering transformative and globally responsive education. More than a formal gathering, the AIAC Forum 2026 reaffirmed SDCA’s strategic direction toward strengthening linkages that enrich teaching and learning, expand opportunities for research and extension, and align academic programs with the demands of an increasingly interconnected world. As one of the key engagements under the 6th International Research, Extension, and Linkages Week, the forum stands as a strong testament to SDCA’s enduring commitment to fostering excellence through collaboration and to preparing Dominican learners to thrive as competent, innovative, and globally engaged professionals.