🎓💡 Icons of Change Awards 2025 Feature SDG 4: Quality Education Dr. Neil Perez Balba & Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna Excellence in Innovation and Leadership in Technology Excellence in Industry-Driven Education and Innovation In the ever-evolving ecosystem of education, where digital disruption and industry demands are reshaping the academic blueprint, one institution and one leader stand at the intersection of relevance and reinvention. At the heart of this transformation is Dr. Neil Perez Balba, a polymath and pioneer whose career is a masterclass in interdisciplinary leadership. With four doctoral degrees, six master's, and global credentials spanning engineering, IT, and management, Dr. Balba is not merely navigating the digital age—he’s helping architect it. As the Executive Director for Technology and Chief Digital Officer of Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna (LPU-Laguna), Dr. Balba has been instrumental in embedding a future-oriented, digitally empowered approach into the academic structure of one of the country’s most progressive universities. From scaling up hybrid learning systems to cultivating innovation hubs and aligning curricula with real-time industry trends, his impact is both structural and cultural. But the brilliance doesn’t stop there. LPU-Laguna, rooted in the legacy of Senator Sotero Laurel, continues to honor its founding vision: democratizing world-class education outside Metro Manila. Since its inception, the university has remained a trailblazer in industry-academic integration, developing programs that don't just teach theory—they prepare students for the actual complexities of the workplace. Its one-semester internship model, robust industry partnerships, and globally benchmarked curricula position LPU-Laguna as a model for SDG 4: Quality Education in action. This commitment ensures that students—regardless of geographic location—have access to the same level of opportunity, exposure, and innovation as their peers in global education capitals. Dr. Balba's influence stretches beyond the campus gates. As a former national president of PSITE, president of ISITE and MRSP-Laguna, and a member of ISO technical panels and accreditation bodies, his leadership contributes to national and international policies that shape how education and technology intersect. His role as President of the Calamba City ICT Council is further proof of his grounded approach to high-level impact—building local capacity while influencing global standards. His portfolio is more than impressive—it is catalytic. He has steered reforms, developed frameworks, and mentored countless educators and innovators. Through it all, his north star remains unchanged: empowering future-ready graduates who are equipped not just with degrees, but with direction.
