November 20, 2025
The Research and Publication Office of North Valley College Foundation, Inc. (NVCFI) successfully spearheaded the First Province-Wide Research Conference on November 20, bringing together five higher education institutions (HEIs) across Cotabato for a day dedicated to academic inquiry, collaboration, and innovation. Participating schools included the host institution, North Valley College, alongside Central Mindanao Colleges (Kidapawan City), Southern Baptist College (Mโlang), Southern Christian College (Midsayap), and Notre Dame of Midsayap College. The event marks a significant milestone as the first collaborative research gathering of its kind in the province, signaling a shared commitment to strengthening the culture of research among faculty and students. Powerful Insights from Renowned Plenary Speakers Two distinguished scholars served as plenary speakers, enriching the conference with their expertise and real-world insights. Dr. Bernard Caslib Jr., faculty member at the University of the Philippines Manila and Ateneo de Manila University, delivered a compelling talk on โMoral Excellence in Healthcare: A Virtue Ethics Approach to Bioethics.โ His lecture underscored the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals, emphasizing the need for moral character and virtue-driven decision-making within the Philippine health system. Meanwhile, Dr. Randy Tudy of the University of Southeastern Philippines engaged participants with his session, โBoost Your Chances of Publishing in Reputable Journals: Lessons for Neophyte Researchers.โ His talk provided practical strategies for young scholars, focusing on publication readiness, research rigor, and navigating the peer-review process. Faculty and Student Research at the Forefront The conference featured parallel sessions showcasing the research outputs of faculty and undergraduate students from participating institutions. Representing North Valley College were faculty presenters Maโam Sweet Honey Manansala, Maโam Jona Dejecacion, and Sir Joseph Maambong, who shared studies addressing relevant issues in education, community development, and social sciences. Other faculty researchers from partner schools also contributed diverse perspectives and findings in their respective fields. For student participants, the event served as both a learning platform and a competition. Young researchers vied for the Best Abstract and Best Oral Presentation awards, demonstrating the promising research potential of Cotabatoโs next generation of scholars. Building Research Culture and Collaboration In his Statement of Purpose, Dr. Rogelio P. Bayod, Director of Research and Publication and concurrent Director of Quality Assurance of NVCFI, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative. He stressed that the conference aims to establish a strong research culture among both faculty and students while fostering meaningful partnerships among HEIs across the province. โResearch is a vital function of higher education institutions,โ he noted, โand strengthening collaborative efforts ensures that our institutions contribute significantly to community development.โ A Milestone for Cotabato HEIs The successful conduct of the First Province-Wide Research Conference has set a new benchmark for research engagement in Cotabato. With the inspiring support of plenary speakers, the commitment of partner institutions, and the active participation of faculty and students, the event marks the beginning of deeper cooperation and shared academic pursuit among HEIs in the region. Organizers expressed hope that the conference will become an annual traditionโone that continually nurtures innovation, strengthens scholarship, and empowers communities through knowledge generation.
