With the 2023 National Research and Extension Advocacy Conference for Change (NREACH) being hosted by the University of Rizal System last November 15-17, 2023, team players in research development and extension were clarified, inspired, and challenged to advocate and translate research outputs to more meaningful and empowering extension/community development projects towards the necessary reshaping of more dynamic institutions and communities. There are 31 participating Universities; 241 champions of research development and extension services from different Higher Education Institutions all over the country, professional and sectoral agencies in the country who actively participated. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region IV-A, Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering, Philippine Extension Advisory Services Network (PhilEASNet), Philippine Education Measurement and Evaluation Association (PEMEA), Farmers and Information Technology Services Center (FITS-Rizal), Family of Francisco and Enriqueta Angeles (FFEA) and Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers-Rizal served as strong collaborators and system support towards the successful conduct of the national conference. Indeed, empowerment of people, communities, and organizations will always be an overarching concern of research and service learning–oriented institutions.
