Studies addressing educational inequality, sustainable construction and community-centered housing planning were named the top papers at the culmination of the 9th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research.
The Best Paper Awards recognized studies that stood out among a diverse body of scholarly work presented during the conference. Organizers said the selection process considered the significance and relevance of the research problem, originality, methodological rigor, quality of analysis, practical contribution, scholarly merit and overall conference impact.
The top award went to Jude Lourence Segovia and Ella Louise Damasco for “DisconnectED: The Role of ICT Access and Socio-Economic Factors in Educational Inequality in the Philippines.”
The study examined educational inequality from a national perspective, focusing on how access to information and communications technology and socioeconomic factors shape educational attainment across the country. Using national census data and an education Gini and decomposition approach, the paper found that educational attainment improved and inequality declined over time, but also showed that the pace of inequality reduction has slowed.
The study further identified continuing disparities linked to wealth, region, age, sex and ICT access. The committee said the paper was selected for its scholarly rigor, national significance, methodological excellence and policy relevance.
The Second Best Paper Award was presented to Hernani Columbres for “Recycled Plastic Core Panels.”
The study explored how discarded plastic materials could be repurposed into construction materials, linking environmental sustainability with engineering, architecture and design innovation. The committee said the paper stood out because it transformed plastic waste from an environmental problem into a potential construction product.
Organizers said the study offered a tangible, testable and potentially scalable response to waste management and sustainable building challenges, while supporting circular economy practices.
The Third Best Paper Award was presented to Mark Joseph G. Andrada for “Acceptability of Vertical Housing Among Informal Settler Families.”
The paper addressed the need for safe, inclusive and sustainable housing for vulnerable populations in rapidly urbanizing communities. It examined the acceptability of vertical housing among informal settler families and used beneficiary perspectives to inform an architectural proposal.
The study integrated residential spaces, community facilities, livelihood opportunities, accessibility features and support services. The committee said the paper successfully bridged research, architecture, urban planning and social development by placing intended beneficiaries at the center of the planning process.
Conference organizers said the award-winning papers represented different disciplines and approaches to inquiry but shared a common goal: using research to generate meaningful solutions and lasting impact.
“These studies remind us that research is at its most powerful when it not only explains the world as it is, but also helps shape the world as it can be,” the organizers said.
The 9th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research gathered scholars, faculty members, graduate students and research practitioners for presentations across various fields, highlighting the role of multidisciplinary inquiry in addressing contemporary challenges.
Organizers congratulated the awardees and said the winning studies demonstrated how excellent research can challenge assumptions, open possibilities and offer pathways toward more responsive, sustainable and equitable futures.