AdU STAR Lab

[PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION]

Under Republic Act No. 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, all local government units (LGUs) are mandated to establish a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO). This office is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) policies, plans, and programs within their respective jurisdictions. Specifically, LGUs must integrate DRRM strategies into their local development plans, ensuring that risk reduction measures are in place for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

In line with this, STARLab and MINERVA Lab’s exploratory meeting with the Makati City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (Makati DRRMMO) aligns with this legal mandate. By leveraging space technologies, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies, the collaboration aims to enhance the city’s DRRM efforts, particularly in real-time monitoring, early warning systems, risk assessment, and decision-making support. The integration of these technologies could significantly improve Makati City’s resilience to disasters, ensuring proactive and data-driven responses.

Adamson University, through its research laboratories and multidisciplinary expertise, is committed to expanding its collaborations with more institutions, including local government units, national agencies, and private organizations. The university recognizes the importance of bridging academic research with real-world applications, particularly in disaster resilience, environmental sustainability, and smart city initiatives. By fostering these partnerships, Adamson seeks to co-develop innovative solutions, provide capacity-building programs, and support policy development that aligns with national and local priorities.

Future engagements may include joint research projects, training programs for DRRM personnel, technology demonstrations, and pilot implementations that showcase how advanced technologies can support disaster preparedness and response. Through these efforts, Adamson University aims to solidify its role as a key player in science-driven community resilience and nation-building.

Calling all Davaoeños! Join the Technical Session on 27 March 2025 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM during the Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTA) Exhibit at the Social Hall of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP).

PhilSA will share SSTA initiatives, the AD ASTRA Scholarships Program, and career opportunities in the SSTA sector.

👉🏻 REGISTER NOW: https://form.jotform.com/242471008144448

Organized by PhilSA, in partnership with DOST Region XI and USeP, this face-to-face talk is free and open to all students and educators, aspiring space scientists, engineers, and enthusiasts.

See you there!

We have just concluded our presentation at the 54th UNISEC-Global Meeting.

As part of the IoT Constellation Mission Program of UNISEC-Global, Mr. Frank Fitzgerald Batin, Technical Research Specialist of Project MARITES (Multipurpose APRS Payload for Risk Reduction in Times of Emergency Situations), presented a proposed application of our designed satellite payload and its complementary ground sensor terminal for flood monitoring.

This project is funded through the DOST PCIEERD Balik-Saliksik Program and is supported by Adamson University through AdU STARLab.

📣 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗔𝗗 𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 – 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 (𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲)

The Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) Scholarships Program is now open for applications! 🛰️✨

Apply now for the Stand-alone Sandwich Program & Foreign Scholarships (August to December Intake) until 30 March 2025.

Applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue advanced studies or conduct research in space science, technology, and related fields—including space law, diplomacy, industry, and economics—at local or international higher education institutions are eligible to apply.

Click here for more information and begin your : https://philsa.gov.ph/news/philsa-ad-astra-scholarships-call-for-applications-2025/

Manila's Heat Index Soars: Why Research on Urban Heat Islands Matters

Today, nearly half of Manila’s schools, including universities, have suspended classes due to dangerously high heat index levels. This extreme heat event highlights the urgent need to understand and address Intra-Urban Heat Islands (IUHI)—localized hotspots in cities caused by urbanization, reduced green spaces, and increased built-up areas.

Our research, published in MDPI Remote Sensing, provides critical insights into Manila’s intra-urban heat island dynamics from 2013 to 2022. Using Landsat 8 satellite data, we mapped areas that require different levels of intervention to mitigate urban heating:

Preserve – These areas (marked in blue) still have existing green spaces, water bodies, or other natural cooling elements. It is crucial to maintain their current state to ensure they continue to provide cooling benefits.

Strengthen – Areas in red are the most vulnerable to worsening heat effects due to increased urbanization and loss of vegetation. These locations need immediate intervention, such as adding more green spaces, improving ventilation, and implementing heat-mitigating infrastructure.

Monitor – The pink areas cover much of the city and represent regions that require constant observation to prevent worsening heat effects. These locations are at risk of turning into severe heat islands if no sustainable urban planning measures are applied.

Why This Matters:
🔹 Helps policymakers implement cooling strategies
🔹 Supports urban planning for climate resilience
🔹 Raises awareness of extreme heat risks

Our findings emphasize that urban heat islands are not just an environmental issue but a public health concern. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to serious health problems, including heat stroke and dehydration, especially in highly urbanized areas like Manila.

Read more about our study here: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/21/5573
Latest news on Manila’s heat wave: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/3/3/heat-wave-shuts-down-schools-in-nearly-half-of-manila-1251

Nightfam, Paris has transformed over the past two decades into a cleaner, greener city! 🌿🚴‍♂️✨ The city's cyclable network has expanded from 200 km in 2001 to 1,094 km in 2021, with 550 km of new bike lanes added since 2014.

Paris has removed 50,000 parking spaces, implemented a 30 km/h speed limit across most of the city, and expanded green spaces by adding 30 hectares of urban agriculture, parks, and gardens between 2014 and 2018.

Should more cities follow Paris' lead in tackling pollution and sustainability?

Follow Project Nightfall for more discussions.

HugNayan: Space Science Fora - The First 100 Years of Astrophysics The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites everyone to this month's HugNayan: Space Science Fora with Dr. Michael Rutkowski from the Minnesota State Univer...

Opinion piece: Farms worldwide need access to commercial satellite data to enhance sustainable development goals and research

Expanding the use of high-resolution satellite data will improve Earth Observation for smallholder agricultural monitoring, providing critical tools, data, and scientific underpinning for the policies that can help meet the targets defined under the SDGs, many of which are currently not on track. In PNAS: https://ow.ly/XaVW50V5o2a

🚨 Exciting news – the EU CopPhil Scholarship deadline is extended!

Filipino government professionals, this is your chance to pursue advanced studies in and in the European Union with a fully funded Master’s scholarship from , an EU initiative!🌍📡

📢 New updates:

✅ Deadline extended – Apply by 18 March 2025! (You must be accepted into an EO/RS master’s programme.)
✅ Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28 March 2025.
✅ Get ready! Prepare your application now, so you can submit it as soon as your university acceptance arrives.
✅ Still looking for options? Some Earth Observation and Remote Sensing Master’s programmes at EU universities are still open!

Below are just a few of the European Union universities providing Earth Observation and Remote Sensing Master's courses—check them out 👇
https://www.educations.com/geoscience/europe

📩Find more details & apply here:https://copphil.philsa.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CopPhil_scholarship_Advert-CopPhil-Center-website_deadline-extension.pdf

This is your chance to advance your career & make an impact! 🚀

🌍 Meet Yuei-An Liou, lead of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society's Educational Webinar Series since 2020. He is a professor at National Central University 🎓 With expertise in electrical engineering and atmospheric sciences. His research focuses on hydrometeorology, eco-environmental studies, and GNSS-meteorology. 🌱✨

An IEEE member since 1992, he is passionate about sharing knowledge through Certified Education and Training (CET) webinars. These sessions are designed to help students, professionals, and enthusiasts stay up-to-date with the latest in remote sensing. 🌐 He’s always open to questions and collaborations—feel free to reach out! 📩

[BENCHMARKING]

AdU STARLab had a chance to visit Nanyang Technological University’s Satellite Research Center in Singapore, February 24, 2025.

This is part of the activities of The Space Entrepreneurship Bootcamp hosted by Space Faculty.

Thank you Philippine Space Agency and Adamson University for sending us.

Big thanks to Geo-Survey & Mapping Inc and Maxar for sponsoring the trip.