Meralco teams up with foreign universities for nuclear energy push

August 26, 2024
10:36AM PHT

Meralco, the Philippines' largest electric distribution company, has tapped foreign universities as knowledge partners for its nuclear energy initiative.

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led company has recently signed memoranda of understanding with prestigious institutions: Ontario Tech University in Canada, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the United States, and China's Harbin Engineering University (HEU) and Tsinghua University. 

These collaborations aim to accelerate Meralco’s nuclear energy drive, with a focus on developing advanced expertise and fostering innovation.

This initiative is a key part of Meralco's long-term strategy to explore nuclear energy as a sustainable and reliable power source for the Philippines. 

By teaming up with these universities, Meralco seeks to deepen its understanding of nuclear technologies and ensure that their implementation aligns with government policies. 

(Front row, L-R) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Professor and department head Rizwan Uddin, Meralco EVP and COO  Ronnie L. Aperocho, UIUC College of Engineering Dean and Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering Rashid Bashir, Meralco SVP and chief human resources officer and head Edgardo V. Carasig, (back row, L-R) Meralco Power Academy executive director Ian Chester V. Colorina, Meralco first vice president and head of networks Froilan J. Savet, UIUC Associate Professor CalebBrooks, and UIUC Teaching Professor Leon Liebenberg during the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony in Illinois./contributed photo

Partner-universities were selected by Meralco Power Academy, the energy education unit of Meralco, together with former dean of engineering of the University of the Philippines Dr. Aura Matias, and Filipino-Canadian scientist from the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Dr. Ike Dimayuga

Through MPA’s Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering program, Meralco is sending Filipino engineers abroad for specialized training in nuclear engineering. 

Scholars Gener Atienza, Amiela Nicodemus, Marc Ceria, Justin Salas, and Kenneth Tulagan are set to undergo rigorous programs in UIUC and HEU, respectively. Upon their return to the Philippines in 2028, they will be reintegrated into Meralco and be assigned to take on a role in its nuclear power generation unit.

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