From left: Dr. Albim Cabatingan, the Campus Director, UCPT, Dr. Anna Liza B. Son, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Professional Education, Atty. Ria Lidia Espina, UC Legal and Finance Director, Dr. Yolanda C. Sayson, the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs for General Education, Dr. Keith Miller of Flinders University – Australia, Araceli C. Tiukinhoy, Consultant on Institutional Planning and Accreditation , Dean Ofelia G. Maña, the Vice-Chancellor for Business Development & Innovations, Atty. Manuel Elijah Sarausad, Executive Vice-Chancellor for Operations, and Captain Arnel Malaga, the Campus Director of University of Cebu Maritime Educcation and Training Center (METC).
The University of Cebu is proud to host its 1st International Research Conference with the Theme: “Strengthening Human Services and Social Development in the Lens of Research, Practice, and Ethics” held at the University of Cebu – Banilad Campus on February 14-16, 2023.
This collaborative event is a significant effort to promote the usefulness and importance of qualitative research in improving the quality of life and the standard of living, most especially for the marginalized and the vulnerable – for the highest aim of the research is to deliver the resources no matter how scarce especially to the disadvantaged.
On the first day of the conference, Atty. Manuel Elijah J. Sarausad – the Executive Vice-Chancellor for Operations of the University of Cebu, graced the event with an opening remark, followed by Dr. Yolanda C. Sayson, the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University of Cebu, who discussed the Rationale, then Dir. Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, the Regional Director of DSWD FO 7 of Cebu City, Philippines, discussed the Relevance of Data in the Delivery of Social Protection Programs and the works of her respective agency, such as the influence it has on social development. A while later, Dr. Keith Miller of Flinders University – Australia, delivered a speech titled “Mental Health Related to Research and Ethics.” The lesson ensued in an open forum by fellow researchers, students, and staff.
In the afternoon, a parallel session took place in which two topics were simultaneously discussed in separate rooms. One is the Qualitative Research Methods In Human Services & Social Development Practice – tackled by Dr. Keith Miller of Flinders University-Australia. And two, the Qualitative Research in Social Science: Phenomenology, which Dr. Johnny Yao, Jr., a Supervisor in CHED VII, Cebu City, Philippines, thoroughly discussed. On the conference’s second day, the researchers both in the faculty or professional and student categories presented their studies in front of the participants and panel of reactors and were given insights right after their presentations. Members of the panel of reactors include Dr. Philip Joel Macugay, the Director of the Center for Research and Institutional Planning of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation; Dr. Gino Sumalinog, a faculty members of Cebu Normal University; Dr. Keith Miller of Flinders University-Australia, and Mr. Jason Pope, the Executive Director and Founder of Rain Collective, an organization working to disrupt cycles of exploitation in the Middle East and North Africa.
After the 2-day conference, officials of the University of Cebu together with Dr. Keith Miller and Mr. Jason Pope visited the Ati Tribe of Naga, Cebu on February 17, 2023 and immersed in their culture. The Ati Tribe of Naga, Cebu is one of the adopted communities of the University of Cebu.
This conference is made possible by the hard work of these esteemed organizers, committee members, and University Officials namely, Atty. Manuel Elijah J. Sarausad, the Executive Vice-Chancellor for Operations; Dr. Yolanda C. Sayson, the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs for General Education; Dean Ofelia G. Maña, the Vice-Chancellor for Business Development & Innovations; Dr. Anna Liza B. Son, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Professional Education; Dr. Judy Ann Ferrater-Gimena, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and the Director of the Research Center at UC – Banilad. Dr. Khalachuchi F. Caballes, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee and the Dean of the College of Social Work at UC – Main; Dr. Renato C. Sagayno, Chairman of the Documentation Committee and Director of the Research Office at UC – Main, Ms. Edilyn Lopez, Chairman of the Events Management Committee; and the program host who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Events Management Committee and the Research Director of UCLM, Dr. Roel A. Monsanto.
An event like this in academia creates opportunities for new studies and opens new doors that shrink the meaning of impossibility. May this be the 1st of many and the foundation of a brighter future for all researchers, students, and academics alike.
Written by Kaye Jane Macalolo-oy