SEAMEO INNOTECH Welcomes New Centre Director, Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago
SEAMEO INNOTECH is proud to welcome Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago as its new Centre Director, bringing with her a distinguished career in economics, education, research, and policy development. With her extensive expertise in futures thinking, economic policy, sustainable development, and capacity-building, Dr. Ravago is set to lead the Centre in advancing innovative and research-driven education solutions across Southeast Asia.
A Renowned Economist, Researcher, and Development Leader
Dr. Ravago is a highly respected economist and development expert, with extensive experience in leading large-scale research projects, policy advisory roles, and capacity-building initiatives. Prior to joining SEAMEO INNOTECH, she served as the President and CEO of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), where she oversaw national and regional programs that strengthened governance, public sector leadership, and institutional innovation.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ravago has been deeply involved in policy research and advisory work. She has provided expert consultation for major organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), USAID, and the Philippine government, particularly in areas of energy economics, competition policy, economic development, education, and disaster resilience. Her contributions have helped shape national policies on sustainable economic growth, education reform, and energy security, positioning her as a leading advocate for evidence-based policymaking.
She also led projects focused on energy policy, economic resilience, and public sector development, including the USAID Energy Policy and Development Program (2014–2018) and the House of Representatives-Ateneo Research Project on supporting the President’s 8-Point Agenda (2023-2024). Her expertise in intergovernmental coordination, executive leadership, and strategic planning has contributed significantly to the implementation of policy reforms and institutional strengthening efforts.
An Accomplished Educator and Scholar
With nearly two decades of experience in academia, Dr. Ravago is a dedicated educator and researcher. She has taught at Ateneo de Manila University, the UP School of Economics, and the University of Hawaii, specializing in development economics, energy policy, and competition economics. She has also served as the Research Director of the UPSE Economics Research Centre and a Fellow at the Research Institute for Environmental Economics and Management in Waseda University, Japan.
Her research focuses on energy economics, environmental policy, disaster resilience, education impact assessment, and sustainable economic growth. A prolific academic, she has published in international journals, contributed to global policy discussions, and co-edited four books on economic policy, sustainability, and competition policy. She is also the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Young Scientist in Economics (2016) by the National Academy of Science and Technology and the One UP Faculty Grant Award in Economics for Outstanding Research and Public Service (2016-2018).
As a recognized thought leader, Dr. Ravago has participated in high-level conferences and advisory panels, including engagements with APEC, the Asian Productivity Organization, and leading international universities. In 2024, she earned a certificate in Executive Leadership Programme on AI and Productivity
at INSEAD in France, further reinforcing her expertise in the intersection of technology, economics, and education.
A Warm Welcome to SEAMEO INNOTECH’s New Centre Director
The SEAMEO INNOTECH family is honored to welcome Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago as its new Centre Director. Her impressive track record in economic research, policy development, and education leadership will bring fresh insights and dynamic strategies to the Centre’s mission of empowering learners, educators, and policymakers.
We look forward to an exciting new chapter under her leadership and are eager to collaborate in building a resilient, future-ready education system for Southeast Asia.
Welcome to SEAMEO INNOTECH, Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago!
