2024 Smart City Summit Expo, Inno Voyage: Navigating Smart Futures in Industrialization, Education, Governance and Smart City Development

The Inno Voyage: Navigating Smart Futures in Industrialization, Education, Governance, and Smart City Development is an initiative that brought together global leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to explore advancements in smart city development. Facilitated by the Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association in collaboration with the Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of UP-NCPAG, this program was held from March 17 to 25, 2024, in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. As part of this culmination, the delegation actively participated in the Kaohsiung Smart City Summit & Expo (SMSE) from March 21-23, where they engaged in discussions on industrialization, city transformation, and good governance.

The delegation, composed of representatives from CPED, Urban-Connect USAID, and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), among which is University of Makati (UMak) President Elyzxur C. Ramos had the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into Taiwan’s success in urban development and interacted with key stakeholders, including the Linhai Industrial Park Association, Kaohsiung City Government, and local academic institutions. These engagements provided valuable knowledge on effective governance models and innovative urban solutions that could be adapted to the Philippine context. Additionally, site visits offered a deeper understanding of Kaohsiung’s smart city initiatives, strengthening collaboration between the two nations.

On the top of professional development, Inno Voyage also emphasized cultural exchange and long-term partnerships. Through the joint efforts of Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association and CPED, the program seeks to strengthen the Bayanihan Neighborhood collaboration by encouraging knowledge-sharing between the Philippines and Taiwan. By cultivating insights gained from the summit and related activities, the delegation aims to contribute to the enhancement of national policies and urban development strategies in the Philippines.