MAPUA Malayan Colleges Laguna strengthened South Luzon’s status as a research and innovation hub.

Mapúa MCL is helping reinvigorate South Luzon’s standing as a research and innovation hub through the various research authored by its faculty and students.

One of its most awarded professors, Dr. Ramachandra C. Torres, director of Mapúa MCL’s Learning Environments and Innovations Office, received numerous awards from international research bodies throughout the year. Dr. Torres was recognized as “Best Presenter” for his work on “AI Chatbots in E-Commerce Platforms: A Statistical Model of Customer Adoption” and appointed session chair, technical committee member, and paper reviewer at the 8th International Conference on Business and Information Management, held in Pattaya, Thailand, last August 2024.

He was given the “Best Paper” and “Best Presenter” Awards during the 8th International Conference on E-Commerce, E-Business, and E-Government at Ajman, United Arab Emirates, for his paper on “Customers’ Behavioral Intention and Actual Use of Mobile Shopping Platforms: Understanding Predictors Through Mathematical Modelling.”

He was named “Best Reviewer” at the 15th International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management, and E-Learning (IC4E 2024) in Fukuoka, Japan.

His paper on “Mathematical Modeling of the Post-Covid 19 Pandemic Perception of Students on the Use of E-Learning for Educational Sustainability” was also short-listed as the best overall paper. His expertise and contributions in the research field also led to his appointment as session chair, technical committee member, and paper reviewer during the 15th International Conference on E-business, Management, and Economics (ICEME) in Beijing, China.

A doctorate degree holder in Mathematics who specializes in teaching highly technical fields like mathematics, business, social sciences, statistics, and research methodologies, Dr. Ram Torres also focuses on enhancing educational practices and introducing innovative tools that enrich the learning experience and outcomes of students and maximize the teaching potential of faculty.

After graduate school, Dr. Torres planned to be deeply involved in research. However, his aspirations came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic when he had to shift priorities. Fortunately, in 2023, a Mapúa MCL colleague invited him to collaborate on a research project, which rekindled his passion for research. In under a month, he and his colleague completed the project, which was accepted for publication and presented at a prestigious forum in Japan.

He then pursued other research projects, which were also published in various Scopus-indexed journals or international publications that publish research based on high-quality standards, credibility, and academic rigor. Despite his passion for inquiry, innovation, and prolific work, Dr. Torres’s life of conducting scientific inquiry was not a walk in the park.

He had to be prudent with time management since he had to juggle his scientific work while effectively fulfilling his role as Director of the Learning Environments and Innovations Office and professor.

He also collaborated with his thesis advisers for faculty-driven research projects, who helped co-author some of the published work. Conducting studies, publishing them, and presenting them at academic conferences also involve a substantial financial investment, which is a problem most researchers encounter.

However, through Mapúa MCL’s financial support and other grants, Dr. Torres and his team can submit their work to distinguished conferences, journals, and research societies without the financial burden and stress.

To date, he has focused his research on exploring artificial intelligence’s impact on the education and business sectors. In fact, he is awaiting feedback on two academic papers he submitted for consideration at a journal and an upcoming conference.

He also developed a math game that reinforces fundamental mathematical concepts, and it now has a mobile application prototype. These projects are targeted for publication in the second half of 2025. Dr. Torres encourages young students and professionals to embark on their own scientific inquiries.

He stressed that students and those within the academic community are equipped with the resources, expertise, and formal training needed to identify pressing issues, conduct thorough investigations, and develop novel solutions.

“Continuous exploration and research are not only encouraged but are imperative to improve the lives of individuals and communities alike. Through collaborative efforts and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, we can create a brighter future for all,” said Dr. Torres.