Saint Louis University (SLU) proudly represented the Philippines at the inaugural 2026 Asia Economics and Policy Forum (AEPF), an international research conference that gathered scholars, researchers, and academic practitioners from across Asia and beyond under the theme, “Green Growth, Financing and Building a Sustainable Future.” Held on 28-29 July 2026, the conference was organized by East Asia Research in partnership with the University of Saint Joseph (Macao).
The opening day took place at the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, while the conference accommodated both onsite and virtual presentations, bringing together participants from China, Macao, Singapore, North Macedonia, and other countries.
As the first-ever Asia Economics and Policy Forum, the event marked a significant milestone in regional academic collaboration. The inaugural batch of presenters became pioneers of the conference, contributing to the foundation of what is expected to become a premier platform for research and policy dialogue in Asia. Notably, only two Philippine universities participated in this prestigious international gathering, with SLU accounting for two of the three Filipino presenters, underscoring the University’s strong commitment to research excellence and global academic engagement.
Representing SLU were Ms. Juliana Chua, a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management with specialization in Business Analytics, together with her research adviser, Mr. Karlo S. Dacanay, who presented their group research poster entitled “Outfit Check! Analyzing the Factors Affecting Gen Z’s Sustainable Fashion Purchase Intention in Baguio City.” Also representing the University was Ms. Aziah Valera, a student of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Hospitality and Tourism Management, who presented her group’s research poster, “From Beans to Bees: The IPO Model for 5IR Agritourism.” Their presentations showcased innovative research addressing sustainability, consumer behavior, and emerging development models, contributing valuable insights to international academic discussions.
The participation of Ms. Chua, Mr. Dacanay, and Ms. Valera on the international stage reflects the university’s continued pursuit of academic excellence, research innovation, and global collaboration. By presenting the University’s research in Singapore before an international audience of scholars and practitioners, the SLU delegation not only highlighted the quality of research being produced within the University but also reinforced its growing presence in the global academic community. Their participation serves as an inspiration to fellow Louisians, demonstrating that research developed within the University can contribute meaningfully to international conversations on sustainability and the future of economic development.
This milestone highlights SLU’s steadfast commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through research focusing on green growth, youth consumer behavior, and innovative agritourism, SLU actively supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by embedding sustainable solutions and global collaboration directly into its academic mission. (Article and Photos by the SLU RISE Center)
