GEORGETOWN, PENANG, MALAYSIA – Saint Louis University (SLU), through Lara Annika Paula E. Namoca, an SLU Basic Education School (BEdS) Senior High School student, together with her adviser John Michael A. Guerzon, represented the University and the country at the 14th Regional Congress – SEAMEO Search for Young Scientists (SSYS) 2026 held on 9-12 February 2026, in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. Anchored on this year’s theme, “GREENOVATE: Youth Turning Vision into Action for a Sustainable Future,” the Congress emphasized innovation-driven solutions to environmental and societal challenges.
Organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM), the Congress gathered 475 student researchers from 72 schools across eight Southeast Asian countries, serving as a premier platform for strengthening regional cooperation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Ms. Namoca’s research project, “Multiple Shoot and Leaf Induction on Stevia Rebaudiana through In-Vitro Plant Tissue Culture Technique,” successfully passed the rigorous initial screening process, earning a place among the finalists who advanced to present their work at the regional congress in Penang.
The four-day congress featured a series of academic and collaborative engagements. Days 1 to 3 were devoted to research exhibitions, oral presentations, and formal defense sessions, during which student finalists showcased their projects and responded to questions from evaluators composed of STEM experts and educators from across Southeast Asia. These sessions assessed the projects’ scientific rigor, innovation, applicability, and contribution to sustainable development. Beyond the competitive component, participants engaged in knowledge-sharing forums, networking opportunities, and intercultural exchanges that strengthened regional ties and promoted collaborative problem-solving among young scientists.
The event culminated in a Gala Night that celebrated the cultural diversity of the participating nations, including a vibrant showcase of Filipino culture that highlighted the Philippines’ rich heritage and identity on the regional stage.
SLU’s participation reflects its strong institutional commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 13: Climate Action, as the research initiative and regional collaboration promote transformative education and youth-led action toward a more sustainable and resilient future. SLU’s participation in SSYS 2026 strongly aligns with promoting inclusive and equitable quality education while fostering scientific innovation and international partnerships that contribute to sustainable development across the ASEAN region. (Article and photos by John Michael A. Guerzon)
