Mariano Marcos
State University

BYD discusses sustainable mobility at MMSU

Chinese multinational technology company BYD partnered with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) for a lecture on Electric Mobility and Sustainable Energy in Higher Education on January 22 at the Center for Flexible Learning.
The event was organized by Sustainability and Futures Thinking (SFT) and was attended by MMSU faculty and staff, as well as other stakeholders. The initiative supports the university’s SUCCEED agenda, particularly in promoting a vibrant, sustainable, and green campus.

One of the resource persons, Mr. Ronald Supsup, Sales Consultant of BYD La Union, delivered a lecture on driving toward a greener future through electric mobility. He introduced Republic Act 11697, also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which promotes the use of electric vehicles to reduce oil dependence and pollution through incentives, charging infrastructure development, and targets for increased EV adoption and local manufacturing.
 

Mr. Supsup discussed vehicle and battery health maintenance and addressed common questions on electric vehicle charging. He also presented a brief history of BYD and showcased some of the company’s electric vehicle models.
BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is globally known as a leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles such as electric cars and plug-in hybrids, as well as rechargeable batteries. The event partnership with MMSU was made through the BYD La Union office.
 

Electric vehicles were emphasized as an important part of MMSU’s sustainability initiatives. Their adoption within the campus helps reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, improve air quality, and lessen noise pollution. Integrating electric vehicles into campus mobility shows how clean and efficient transportation can support environmental responsibility and sustainable development.
 

BYD units are currently displayed at MMSU for test drives among interested clients. MMSU and BYD are planning to formalize a partnership to build an electric vehicle charging facility on campus.
 

Meanwhile, Engr. Thomas Ubiña, chief of the Research and Innovation unit of the National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC), discussed MMSU’s journey toward sustainable energy. He explained that sustainable energy focuses on conserving energy, improving energy efficiency, and using renewable sources while reducing environmental impact. Proper energy use, he said, leads to energy security, supports economic growth, and promotes environmental protection.
 

Engr. Ubiña also presented MMSU’s accomplishments in sustainability, including its recognition as a Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency and Conservation Awardee in 2017 and its distinction as the only higher education institution recognized at the 2024 Sustainable Energy Awards.
 

He further shared NBERIC’s approach to achieving net-zero energy buildings through efficient building design, the use of energy-efficient technologies, energy conservation measures, and on-site renewable energy systems. These strategies may be applied across the campus to help MMSU move toward becoming a net-zero energy university.
 

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., represented by Vice President for Resource Generation and Management Bjorn Santos, said the lecture reflects the university’s commitment to shaping a future that is sustainable, innovative, and inclusive. He added that the activity highlights the responsibility of institutions to lead efforts in research, education, and community engagement to address climate change. (𝘚𝘊𝘐)