Sampaloc, Manila | October 7, 2026 — Layertech Software Labs and National University strengthened their collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) and public health through a series of activities held on October 7, 2026, bringing together researchers, health-sector experts, and technology practitioners to advance sustainable, secure, and policy-relevant AI solutions.
The day featured a training workshop titled “From AI Research to Real-World Impact: Designing Sustainable, Secure, and Policy-Relevant AI for Health,” followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Layertech Software Labs and the National University – NICER Research and Development Center on NLP for Health Applications.
Together, these activities underscored the importance of connecting scientific research, responsible technology development, and institutional collaboration to ensure that AI innovations deliver meaningful benefits to communities.
Bridging AI Research and Real-World Public Health Needs
The training workshop was led by Frei Sangil, Data Scientist at Layertech Software Labs, as part of the joint initiative between Layertech Software Labs and National University’s Project Health PH: Machine Learning and Multilingual NLP for Intelligent Public Health Surveillance.
The session brought together project researchers, including consultants from the health sector, to examine how AI research can move beyond technical development and contribute to practical, sustainable public health solutions.
Discussions emphasized the need to design AI initiatives with clear objectives, responsible governance, and a strong understanding of the communities and institutions they aim to serve. Beyond model performance and technical innovation, researchers must consider how their work can be implemented, sustained, and translated into meaningful outcomes for people on the ground.
A key focus was the importance of a Theory of Change (TOC) in guiding research and development. By establishing a clear connection between project activities, outputs, intended outcomes, and long-term impact, a TOC helps research teams ensure that their technical work remains aligned with the real-world problems they seek to address.
The session also highlighted the importance of sustainability and responsible AI governance in developing solutions that can remain relevant and useful beyond the life of a research project.
AI Governance and Responsible Innovation
The workshop also featured a virtual lecture by Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Convenor of the Philippine ICT Innovation Network, who shared her expertise on AI governance.
Her contribution complemented the technical discussions by emphasizing the importance of governance frameworks in shaping how AI is developed, deployed, and used responsibly.
For applications in public health, where data quality, privacy, accountability, and public trust are essential, responsible governance must be considered alongside technological development. Integrating these considerations early in the research process helps ensure that AI solutions are not only technically capable but also appropriate for the environments and populations they are intended to serve.
The workshop reinforced a shared principle: successful AI innovation requires more than developing effective models. It also requires clear pathways to implementation, collaboration across disciplines, and a commitment to delivering public value.
Formalizing Collaboration Through an MOU
Following the workshop, Layertech Software Labs and the National University – NICER Research and Development Center on NLP for Health Applications formalized their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement represents a commitment to strengthening collaboration in research and development, particularly in the application of natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and artificial intelligence to health-related challenges.
Representing National University were Dr. Mideth Abisado, NICER Program Lead, and Dr. Marilen Pacis, Dean. Representing Layertech Software Labs were Frei Sangil, outgoing President and Director for Science and Technology, and Rema Magalona, Finance and Operations Officer.
The partnership provides a foundation for continued cooperation in advancing research, developing practical technology applications, and exploring opportunities to translate scientific work into solutions that address real-world needs.
Through this collaboration, both institutions aim to contribute to an environment where research expertise, technological capabilities, and sector-specific knowledge can work together to support more responsive and effective public health initiatives.
Building Sustainable Impact Through Collaboration
The workshop and MOU signing reflect a broader commitment shared by Layertech Software Labs and National University: ensuring that research and technological innovation lead to outcomes that matter beyond the research environment.
As AI continues to create new opportunities in healthcare and public health surveillance, collaboration among researchers, technology developers, health professionals, and governance experts becomes increasingly important.
By combining technical research with practical implementation considerations and institutional partnerships, the organizations seek to help bridge the gap between AI’s potential and its real-world application.
For Layertech Software Labs, innovation is not simply about building new technologies. It is about developing solutions that are responsible, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of the people and communities they are intended to serve.
From research to implementation, the goal remains clear: to make AI meaningful, sustainable, and impactful where it matters most.
About Layertech Software Labs
Layertech Software Labs is a research and development organization focused on developing technology-driven solutions and advancing inclusive, sustainable innovation through research, collaboration, and practical applications.
About Project Health PH
Project Health PH: Machine Learning and Multilingual NLP for Intelligent Public Health Surveillance is a National University initiative focused on applying machine learning and multilingual natural language processing to public health surveillance.