The University of Northern Philippines opened the 4^th Regional Research Congress with much gusto and zest on the cloudy morning of June 29^th. The theme for this year’s congress is Reframing the Culture of Research for a Better Normal. This is also the first time during the time of pandemic that the research congress convened in a hybrid (combination of online and face-to-face) delivery of research presentations. A total of 132 exhilarated research participants hailing from various localities joined the 2-day event. 

The UNP administration, headed by the research-driven President himself, Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna, delivered the Inspirational Message during the opening ceremony. He used the acronym UNP (Uplift, Nifty, and Pure) to share ideal research cultural elements that should be embodied in research studies. Further, Dr. Danilo B. Bose, OIC Director of CHED Regional Office 1, graced the event as the Plenary Speaker. He also shared the three K’s of research; Kwento, Kwenta and Kabuluhan. These three ingredients will enable researchers to contribute significantly for the betterment of society through their research outputs.

The research presentations were divided in five categories, namely: Governance, Gender, Culture and Literature, Administration, Program Implementation and Evaluation, Assessment and Evaluation, Research and Development, and Health and Nutrition. The winners for Best Speaker were Mr. Glenn A. Guira (Governance), Miss Jennielou G. Pigao (Gender, Culture and Literature), Ms. Mae Angelie V. Salvador-Garcia (Administration, Program Implementation and Evaluation), Mr. James Harley R. Giron (Assessment and Evaluation), and Ms. Caroline N. Enrico (Research and Development. While the following researchers were awarded Best Presentation: Mr. Kent Alvin L. Guzman (Governance), Mr. Edmar M. Paguirigan (Gender, Culture, and Literature), Mr. Melchor R. Medes (Administration, Program Implementation and Evaluation), Mr. James Harley R. Giron (Assessment and Evaluation), and Ms. Caroline N. Enrico (Research and Development). Winners for Best Speaker and Best Presentation each received a cash award of Php 3,000.

Dr. Crispin Allan T. Viado bagged the Best Speaker and Best Presentation under the Health and Nutrition category. He also won the Best Paper award for his study The Epidemiologic Profile and Outcome of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury in Ilocos Sur: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the 4th Regional Research Congress. Dr. Viado received a total cash award of Php 11,000.

UNP is truly setting excellent standards in research and publication! The University remains committed in providing opportunities for our own Ilokano researchers to share and publish their findings for wider dissemination. It is hoped that through the launch of the region wide research congress, more researchers will be drawn to presenting and publishing their studies.

Article: Irene Abigail S. Guerrero | Photos: UNP PIO | Graphics: ITIMDS-ISMDS