By: Alezandro Paolo D. Tueres, Benedict Gabrielle N. Gregorio, Abigail Manahan, Jess Comia, Kristine Kyle Vibar, BA Communication
The 5th International Research, Extension, and Linkages Week 2025 (REL Week 2025) opened at St. Dominic College of Asia’s DRA Hall and via Zoom, uniting students, faculty, and international guests under the theme “STARDOM: Sustainable and Transformative Advocacy with Resiliency in Digital-Oriented Market.” Dr. Greg Jinichi M. Andaman, representing Dr. Gregorio Andaman, Jr., College President, set the tone with a powerful reminder, “Our future won’t build itself.” Dr. Freddie Bulauan of CHED Region IV-A followed with insights on sustainable digital advocacy and transformation.
REL Week 2025 is an initiative of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Linkages. It started in 2021 as a virtual event due to the pandemic. This year’s REL Week Conference Chairs are: Dr. Nilda W. Balsicas, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for Research, Extension, and Linkages; Prof. Melbert V. Animas, Director for Institutional Linkages and Networking Office (ILNO); and Dr. Wendell L. Galapate, Director for Research Innovation Development Enterprise (RIDE) and Community Extension Services.
The event featured three distinguished speakers. Dr. Renugah Rengasamy of the Social Institute of Malaysia emphasized the urgency of digital transformation, highlighting the need to balance people, technology, and strategy. Mr. Caezar Angelito E. Arceo, Chief Science Research Specialist of the Department of Science and Technology, discussed patenting, commercialization, and how research can lead to real-world innovations. Dr. Atichat Rungswang of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, explored the role of AI in education, advocating for digital literacy, resilience, and critical thinking in learning environments.
A Q&A session, moderated by Dr. Galapate allowed attendees to engage directly with the speakers.
Prior to the various plenary sessions, SDCA conducted a Global Classroom where international Professors came to SDCA to deliver a lecture on various topics from April 23 to 25. Dr. Rengasamy delivered topics on innovation and information technology, Dr. Rungswang, on the other hand, discussed language and culture, while Dr. Goh Lim Thy of the University of Malaya, Malaysia, shared his expertise on research and economics. A total of 6 lectures were delivered on a hybrid set-up to foster collaborative, international learning experiences among SDCA students.
The afternoon session was filled with 8 research parallel sessions facilitated by Prof. Imelda Tolentino, Ms. Karen Cervantes, Prof. Titus Carl Delmoro, Ms. Jazzy Mae Sallador, Prof. Winterson Ambion, Prof. Michael Lee, Prof. Richardson Mojica, and Dr. Sue Kalinawan. The parallel session was participated by professionals and Higher Education and Senior High School students.
Coinciding with the parallel sessions is the SDGCon: A Global Goals Conference which provided an opportunity to showcase the best practices within departments that contribute to the promotion of the SDGs and foster global awareness of these vital goals. Dr. Jerome Montemayor, Executive Director of the Foundation for Philippine Environment, shared his insights and expertise on sustainable development.
Dr. Mary Nellie T. Roa, School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Dean, inspired the audience with a powerful reminder: “We have one thing in common, Earth. Let’s take care of it.” Dr. Philip C. Cuizon, School of Accountancy, Sciences, and Education Dean, spotlighted programs that elevate community well-being, from mental health campaigns to financial literacy and early education outreach, all in collaboration with Bacoor City. For the School of International Hospitality, Tourism, and Management, Prof. Argel Dela Cruz infused sustainability into the curriculum, encouraging the use of indigenous materials and partnerships with eco-conscious companies in the areas of tourism, hospitality, and business.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kate Palapuz of the School of Communication, Multimedia, and Computer Studies championed global readiness through student certifications, competitions, and mobility programs. Prof. Anthony Marin, Program Chair from the School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, showcased community health outreach efforts with pharmacy students delivering essential care via the “Pharm-Assist” program.
Day 1 concluded with the announcement of Best Paper and Best Poster awardees, recognizing outstanding research contributions from various departments in Higher Education, Senior High School, and professional categories.
The Academe-Industry Advisory Council (AIAC) Forum 2025 is the highlight of REL Week Day 2, as it recognizes SDCA’s outstanding industry partners. There are almost 100 institutional and program-based partners that were awarded a certificate and a plaque. The event, led by the Institutional Linkages and Networking Office, also featured talks from Dr. Sharon Pang of National Chi Nan University, Taiwan, Dr. Thye of the University of Malaya, Malaysia,and Dr. Atichat Rungswang of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand.
Dr. Pang discussed their institution's best practices in partnering with various industries and communities locally and abroad. She shared how the National Chi Nan University develops sustainable partnerships with them by integrating their programs and departments.
On the other hand, Dr. Thye addressed a key challenge in the ASEAN region: the gap between economic growth and income equality. In his plenary talk, he emphasized that growth does not automatically lead to equity. Using the Gini Coefficient to highlight persistent income disparities, Dr. Goh argued for a shift toward inclusive development through targeted human capital investment, specifically in education.
Dr. Rungsawang on his presentation, “Everything and Anything Around You is Culture,” which tied culture not only to traditions or rituals, but to everyday life, like how we talk, what we wear, and how we connect with each other. He encouraged students to think in broader terms and appreciate that culture is more than what it seems. The AIAC talks concluded with a panel discussion facilitated by Dr. Richardson Mojica, Institutional Linkages and Networking Officer.
The afternoon session was centered around the discussion of Problem Solving, Research and Outcomes-Based Education for Resiliency and Sustainability (PROBERS). It is the institution’s community engagement framework led by the Community Extension Services Office (CESO) and National Service Training Program (NSTP) under the Department of Arts and Sciences. The PROBERS program aims to incorporate problem-solving, participatory research, and sustainability principles into the curriculum with the intent to prompt leadership skills and measurable impact on partner communities.
As mentioned in the contest mechanics, the project’s implementation process starts with a development plan derived from the partner communities’ needs diagnosis. It is then analyzed by students from the 17 programs in 5 academic schools in order to formulate a specific community extension proposal, followed by the measurement of impact through survey tools. The PROBERS framework also follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, in which the community programs are continuously enhanced each year based on the project results and recommendations. The students presented the findings of their research during REL Week’s 2nd day, and special awards were given to the best proposals.
This year’s Research, Extension, and Linkages Week further exhibits the importance of collaboration in pursuing community service initiatives and academic excellence. It also highlights the inventiveness that Dominicans possess in demonstrating knowledge, impact, and discoveries for the future. This institutional initiative serves as a platform for learners and researchers to confidently exhibit diverse ideas with the collective purpose of community involvement.
