In alignment with its commitment to global sustainability and innovation, Mapúa University continues to demonstrate academic leadership through research that directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As of September 2025, the University’s research portfolio reflects a strong alignment with several SDGs, with five goals emerging as the most prominent in terms of scholarly output.

These top five SDGs collectively represent the University’s strategic thrusts in engineering, health sciences, urban development, and environmental stewardship:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – 375 Research Outputs

Mapúa leads the charge in energy innovation, with research spanning renewable energy systems, energy efficiency technologies, and sustainable power generation. This reflects the University’s deep-rooted expertise in engineering and its proactive stance in addressing the global energy transition. The volume of work under this SDG underscores Mapúa’s role in shaping a low-carbon future through science and technology.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – 374 Outputs

Innovation is the lifeblood of Mapúa’s research ecosystem. The University’s work under SDG 9 spans smart infrastructure, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and resilient systems. These outputs not only support national development goals but also position Mapúa as a key player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where knowledge creation meets real-world application.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – 370 Research Outputs

Health and well-being remain at the core of Mapúa’s interdisciplinary research agenda. From biomedical engineering and public health analytics to mental health studies and pandemic response modeling, the University’s contributions are both timely and transformative. This SDG’s prominence signals Mapúa’s responsiveness to societal needs and its capacity to integrate health into its traditionally tech-driven research culture.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – 268 Research Outputs

Urban resilience and sustainability are central themes in Mapúa’s research on smart cities, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive urban planning. With the Philippines facing rapid urbanization and climate-related challenges, the University’s work in this area is both relevant and impactful. It reflects a commitment to building cities that are not only technologically advanced but also equitable and livable.

5. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – 222 Research Outputs

Water security and sanitation are critical issues in the Philippine context, and Mapúa’s research addresses these through innovations in water treatment, wastewater management, and hydrological modeling. The University’s contributions to SDG 6 highlight its environmental consciousness and its role in safeguarding one of the planet’s most vital resources.

The complete list of research outputs based on SDGs addressed is shown in Table 1 [Source]:

Table 1. Sustainable Development Goals Mapped to Mapúa University (as of September 2025)

Mapúa University’s alignment with the top SDGs is a testament to its strategic foresight and its commitment to producing research that matters. These outputs not only reflect academic excellence but also demonstrate the University’s responsiveness to societal needs and global challenges. Equally important, however, is the institution’s recognition of areas where research engagement remains limited such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By identifying these gaps, Mapúa affirms its dedication to inclusive and equitable development, ensuring that no goal is left behind. As the University continues to expand its research frontiers, it remains steadfast in its mission to lead with purpose, innovate with impact, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future for all.

Mapúa University has recently been making significant strides in aligning its robust research initiatives in addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The university’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its extensive research publications. As of September 2024, the top six (6) SDGs where the university has most documents are as follows:

Each of the SDGs is a specific research area or, generally an area of concern, that may help solve the problems of the societies around the world. According to Elsevier data science systems that mapped the Scopus documents against the SDGs with high precision, for Mapua University, the details of the university’s contributions to addressing the SDGs through research can be accessed through this url:

https://www.scopus.com/pages/organization/60104319#tab=sdgs

MAPUA INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY

 RESEARCH AGENDA

1. About the Institute

The Mapua Institute for Global Sustainability (MIGS) is a groundbreaking center of excellence dedicated to advancing sustainable development through interdisciplinary research, innovative education, and collaborative partnerships.

2. Mission Goals

Consistent with the vision of Mapua University, our mission is to address complex global and local sustainability challenges by fostering an integrated approach that combines scientific knowledge with practical application. We prioritize urban sustainability, resource management, and policy advocacy while embedding sustainability into campus operations. Committed to shaping a sustainable future, MIGS is a hub for thought leadership, community engagement, and cultivating future leaders equipped to drive transformative change.

3. Objectives

To realize the Mission Goals of MIGS, we developed the following objectives:

a. To engage in basic and applied research on sustainability based on the needs of the university, the country, the region, and the globe.

b. To require undergraduate and graduate students to address relevant Sustainable Development Goals in their respective studies.

c. To forge mutually beneficial research-related linkage or partnerships with other research institutes, universities, government and non-government organizations, and local, national, regional, and international industries.

d. To use relevant research outputs to support the other functions of the university, such as instruction, extension services, and lifelong learning.

4. Research Areas

Consistent with Objective 3a, MIGS shall engage in both basic and applied research in the following areas:

a. Affordable and Sustainable Energy

b. Carbon Footprint Reduction

c. Circular Economy

d. Clean Water and Sanitation

e. Climate Solutions

f.  Community Engagement and Awareness

g. Discipline-Related Studies with Sustainability Component

h. Education for Sustainable Development

i.  Ethical Aspects of Sustainability

j.  Healthy Communities and Workplaces

k. Resource Use Optimization

l.  Sustainable Development Goals

m. Sustainability Metrics

n. Sustainable Practices

o. Other Sustainability-Related Problems

5. Thesis and Publication

Consistent with Objective 3b, the following schemes shall be an integral part of the agenda:

5.1 Undergraduate

All undergraduate theses shall contribute meaningfully to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by addressing at least two (2) specific SDGs.

Students shall prepare and submit an article derived from the thesis, then submit it to a relevant Scopus-indexed journal or present it in a conference with a Scopus-indexed conference proceedings.

5.2 Graduate

All master’s thesis and doctorate dissertations shall contribute meaningfully to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by addressing at least three (3) specific SDGs.

Students shall prepare and submit articles derived from the thesis, then submit them to relevant Scopus-indexed journals.

6. Collaboration and Linkage

Consistent with Objective 3c, MIGS, with the assistance of the International Linkages, Relations, and Development Cooperation (ILRAD) and the academic departments, shall forge mutually beneficial sustainability-research-related partnerships with other universities, institutes, government and non-government organizations, and industries at the local, national, regional, and international levels.

The activities and programs that go with these partnerships can be, but not limited to, as follows:

a. research colloquia

b. joint research projects

c. co-authorship in papers derived from the joint research projects

d. student research internship

MIGS shall also assist the academic departments in seeking funding agencies supporting sustainability research.

7. Dissemination of Research Outputs

Dissemination refers to “sharing the research results with the relevant audience.” The audience includes the following:

a. Academic Community

Publication of a paper derived from the research in reputable journals is the most common form of dissemination. Not only shall the publication promote the research influence of the authors, but it shall also contribute to the literature on the research area (i.e., sustainability).

b. Public

Presentation in regional and international conferences also serves the same purpose as publication in reputable journals.

c. Policy Makers

Results of studies on sustainability and related problems shall be made available to policymakers at the university, local, national, and global levels, when applicable.

8. Effectivity

The Mapua Institute for Global Sustainability Research Agenda was presented at the Academic Council Meeting and was approved on May 8, 2024. The effectivity is June 1, 2024.