As the University accepts the challenge of internalization and the needed grips to embrace a more dynamic approach and perspective in serving its mandate, the Research and Development, Extension and Production Division spearheaded the 2022 International Multidisciplinary Research and Extension Conference last November 17-18, 2023 with the theme Leveraging Sustainable Research and Extension Services in the Prospects of the New Normal.
The said event was graced by Dr. J. Prospero De Vera, Chair of the Com-mission on Higher Education as the Keynote Speaker with Dr. Marita Cana-pi, CHED Commissioner, Dr. Ethel Agnes Pascua– Valenzuela, Director SEAMEO, Dr. Leila Landicho, University Researcher III, UPLB, Dr. Rowena Baconguis, Dean, College of Public Affairs, UPLB and Dr. Rommel P. Sergio, Professor of Management, UG Associate Dean, Canadian University of Dubai.
Distinctly featured during the plenary sessions were talks on Research Leadership Innovation in Local and Global Scale, Empowering Communities through Agricultural Extension Innovations, Nurturing Community Resilience through Research and Extension and Multi Disciplinary Research and Extension Towards Leading Sustainable Edge.
Paper presentations highlighted scholarly sharing of participants from various Universities from Apayao State College, Ateneo de Iloilo, Bataan Peninsula State University, Batangas State University, Bohol Island State University, Carlos Hilado Memorial State Col-lege, Cebu Technological University, Far Eastern University, Don Honorio Ventura State University Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Iloilo State College of Fisheries (SCOF), Isabela State University, Kalinga State University, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Mindoro State University, National Taipei University, Northern Iloilo State University, Palawan State University, Palompon Institute of Technology, Pam-panga State Agricultural University, Rizal Technological University, San Ildefonso College, Southern Leyte State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Visayas State University & Western Philippines University.
The 2022 IMREC is first-of- a kind considering the magnitude by which the conference participants learned and enjoyed the plenary sessions with top caliber and seasoned resource expert speakers as well as the scholarly presentations of the researchers and extension practitioners from the 204 registered participants and 58 participating Higher Educational Institutions. The messages of President Mario Sto. Domingo of the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE), President Marilyn Balagtas of the Philip-pine Educational Measurement and Evaluation Association (PEMEA), Director Emelita Bagsit of the Depart-ment of Science and Technology (DOST Region IV-A), and President Arlene Flores of the Philippine Extension and Advisory Services Network (PhilEASNet) colored the atmosphere of the 2022 IMREC program with the spirit of hope, oneness and thankfulness. Aside from the mentioned collaborating organizations, the Francisco and Enriqueta Angeles Memorial Fund (FEAMF) and Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers (Rizal) also served their support in the promotion of the event.
Dr. Marites M. Rio, Vice-President for RDEP and Over-all Chairperson of the 2022 IMREC sincerely thanked all the conference participants and everyone who supported and graced the event from the URS Administration, PASUC, Board of Regents, EXECOM, Technical Working Group (TWG), keynote and plenary speakers, program moderators, evaluators, external support agencies and the URS community in general.