By CPUGAD TBI

PackUp CEO Matt Rafael Genito joins the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference 2025 panel, showcasing how Central Philippine University talent transitions from incubation to national sustainability leadership.

Quezon City, Philippines – The tangible success of integrating rigorous academic training with urgent national and international action was prominently featured when Mr. Matt Rafael M. Genito, CEO of the CPUGAD TBI startup PackUp, served as a key panelist at the Leave a Nest Philippines Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference (HIC) 2025. This prestigious event, organized annually by Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc., brings together a vibrant community of researchers, scientists, government stakeholders, and corporate leaders across the Asia-Pacific region under the banner of “Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness.” Mr. Genito’s participation provides powerful evidence that Central Philippine University (CPU) is successfully cultivating innovative talent ready for high-level industry engagement and policy contribution.

This invitation marked a decisive transition for the student-led enterprise, moving it directly from the academic environment of the Central Philippine University College of Engineering Packaging Engineering Department and CPUGAD TBI—the university’s nurturing nest for budding professionals and entrepreneurs—to the forefront of the national conversation regarding sustainable innovation. The panel, titled Panel Session 3: Sustainable Food Packaging: Wrapping Flavors with Science, was specifically designed to tackle the critical national challenge of plastic pollution—a particularly severe issue in the Philippines driven by the pervasive use of single-use plastic packaging and sachets. The discourse focused on developing functional, cost-efficient, and environmentally responsible packaging solutions, directly aligning with the ambitious sustainability goals of Session Partner, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), to achieve 100% recyclable packaging by 2030. This panel was not merely theoretical; it sought actionable solutions to mitigate the global environmental cost of convenience, a challenge CPU recognizes as central to its sustainability mandate.

Mr. Genito, who is concurrently pursuing his Packaging Engineering degree at CPU—the institution that pioneered the country’s first Packaging Engineering program—and is a recognized DOST VI technical expert in Packaging and Labeling, contributed his specific, science-backed knowledge. His participation, alongside a respected CPU alumnus, Mr. Jaypee Dela Cruz (R&D Packaging Manager, APC), served as a powerful testament to the enduring quality and real-world relevance of CPU’s academic programs, showcasing a complete pipeline of talent influencing the industry, from startup innovation to corporate leadership. The presence of two CPU Packaging Engineering outputs—the established industry manager and the cutting-edge startup founder—on the same panel served as irrefutable proof of the program’s quality. PackUp’s CEO championed the crucial perspective of the young, tech-enabled startup founder, demonstrating how agile ventures can rapidly deploy innovative, scalable solutions. PackUp’s innovative approach is rooted in the strategic integration of software technology with the deep technical research foundation provided by the University. This blend of academic rigor and startup agility is what makes PackUp a leader in creating scalable solutions that address both local community needs (such as helping MSMEs compete by offering professional packaging services) and global environmental demands (like mitigating the plastic crisis).

This national participation significantly underscores the success of CPUGAD TBI and Central Philippine University as a nurturing center that empowers student innovators to think globally, leverage their academic learning for real-world impact, and contribute expert insights to the highest levels of national dialogue, This exposure is key to attracting further research funding, technology transfer opportunities, and corporate partnerships to Western Visayas. It further strengthens CPU’s position as a top center for developing talent and promoting effective ICT solutions for a sustainable, creative food industry, extending the University’s influence and impact across the region and beyond.