Xavier University took a significant step toward the internationalization of engineering education through its participation in a series of Green Gecko Project engagements in Italy and Spain from April to May 2026, represented by Engr Gerry S Doroja (Team Leader) and Dr Hercules R Cascon (Assistant Team Leader). The Green Gecko Project is funded by the Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education (CBHE) as it serves to strengthen global academic partnerships and advance innovative solutions for carbon neutrality.

The Green Gecko Project is a strategic initiative designed to tackle climate change by transforming engineering education in Southeast Asia. Building on the foundations of the original GECKO project, this new phase targets two critical gaps:

• Curriculum Integration: Embedding climate change issues directly into engineering curricula.
• Industry Engagement: Strengthening the link between academic theory and professional practice to equip the workforce for a sustainable future.

Innovation and Sustainability at Politecnico di Torino, Italy

From 27 to 30 April 2026, the delegation engaged with Politecnico di Torino. The visit focused on bridging the gap between academia and industry through:

• Institutional Synergy: Meetings with the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP) and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center.
• Technical Exploration: Laboratory visits to the Energy Center and the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics Laboratory.
• Modern Pedagogy: Exposure to sustainable business simulations and student-led initiatives targeting natural risk prevention and sustainable mobility.

Digital Transformation at UNED Madrid, Spain

From 4 to 8 May 2026, the focus shifted to Spain for a study visit hosted by Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED). This leg emphasized the future of digital pedagogy, featuring:

• Educational Technology: Presentations on digital learning frameworks and multimedia production for large-scale university operations.
• Infrastructure: A site visit to the UNED Technology Center in Las Rozas to observe advanced digital research support systems.
• Climate Action: Discussions on specialized management programs dedicated to climate change.

The activities were attended by participants from a diverse consortium of partner universities, including:

• Philippines: Xavier University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines Diliman, and the Technological Institute of the Philippines.
• Thailand: Ubon Ratchathani University, Burapha University, and Kasetsart University.
• Europe: Université de Montpellier (France), Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (Spain), Vilnius University (Lithuania), and Politecnico di Torino (Italy).

The engagements concluded with strategic working meetings to align project deliverables and map out future collaborative initiatives. By working with these international partners, Xavier University continues to position itself at the forefront of internationalized, practice-oriented higher education.