About 200 academics from the Philippines and other countries participated in the 7th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research held on March 24 to 26, 2022 via the virtual conferencing platform Zoom. The conference celebrated the works of academics around the world in various fields of study, which it dubbed as “reflective of the evolution of humanity”, as it carried the theme, “Research and the Flourishing of Humanity amid Complexities”.
La Consolacion College Bacolod has been the host organization of the conference, which was aimed at providing a platform for academics to disseminate the results of recent studies, promote continuing learning on research frameworks and methodologies, and open opportunities for future international collaboration.
LCC Bacolod President Sr. Maria A. Garcia, OSA said that the institution has been constantly striving to expand and enrich its research culture by fostering a climate of collaboration and cooperation among local, national, and international academics through the regular hosting of a Multi-disciplinary Research Conference every two years.
“Research is putting into use our God-given potentials to learn, to discover, to participate in His continuing work of creation. We see research as a means through which we can become the best of ourselves, by dedicating, offering our work in the service of our neighbor”, she said.
Seventy research papers were presented within the three-day conference that saw active engagement and consistent attendance of participants from different educational institutions in the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Japan, and Hungary. Participants based in the Philippines came from various regions including Ilocos, Surigao, Bohol, Kalibo, Iloilo, Metro Manila, Negros Oriental and Occidental.
Dr. Raul C. Alvarez Jr., Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education in Western Visayas affirmed that the conference promoted CHED’s goals to build research capabilities and promote the research culture within the Philippine educational system as he congratulated LCC Bacolod and all the participants from other educational institutions.
UNICEF USA General Counsel, Atty. Jessica Leinwand, and White House Editor for Politico and MSNBC Contributor Sam Stein delivered the keynote speeches.
Among the highlights of the conference included country paper presentations from Dr. Ottilia Lukács from Hungary, Dr. Sr. Patricia H. Santos, RJM from India, Dr. Marilu Madrunio of the Philippines, and Dr. Anik Yuesti from Indonesia.
In her message LCC Bacolod VPAA, Sr. Joan Brigida Corazon S. Infante, OSA wrote “truly we are living in complex and ambiguous times and this year’s conference theme has aptly captured the reason why we do research. In a world that is marred by the individual pursuit for recognition and worldly goods, a world that is dehumanized by individualism and materialism, we continue to search for the truth that will be beneficial to the common good and ultimately lead towards the flourishing of humanity. Such is the zenith of all our research endeavors! We build on the works of others. We collaborate with fellow truth seekers. We spend months perusing literature and burn the midnight candle analyzing data in order to contribute to the body of knowledge”. Sr. Infante was among the plenary presenters at the conference.
For the first time since it first organized the ICMR, LCC Bacolod collaborated with the Kapisanan ng mga Manunudlo sa Filipino (Association of Teachers of Filipino) in Negros and the Sentro ng Wika sa Lungsod ng Bacolod (Center of Language in Bacolod City) local affiliates of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (Filipino Language Commission).
Rodjhun Navarro, LCC Bacolod’s VP for Research, Innovation, and Linkages said that the conference could also provide opportunities for teachers of Filipino language to present their studies in the international conference and hopefully inspire collaboration on further research on language and language teaching. “Everyone who attended seems to look forward to the 8th ICMR. By that time, we hope we’ll be able to create a session on studies on languages in the Philippines and other languages of the world”, he said.
The 8th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research will be in 2024.
