By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Participants during the International Research Conference held via Zoom.
Twenty-three local and international institutions from 8 countries took part in the Central Philippine University-Emerging Asian Research Network (CPU-EARN) International Research Conference held last February 23-24, 2021. The two-day virtual conference was conducted via Zoom.
With the theme, “Interdisciplinary Research: Pathways towards Cross-border Innovation and Sustainability” and the sub-themes “Sustainability in Times of Uncertainty”, “Innovations in Times of Pandemic”, “Local Knowledge” and “Technological Innovation”, prospective authors were invited to submit their original, completed and unpublished research projects.
It was in December 2020 when CPU-EARN started its call for papers.
“The conference used EasyChair Software as the platform for the submission of Abstracts and Full Papers by the authors. The total number of Abstracts that were received totaled to 80 and after the review of reviewers from different disciplines and from different academic institutions here in the Philippines and abroad, 60 Abstracts were accepted. Authors of these abstracts were notified to submit their Full Papers,” said CPU-EARN Committee Chair and Office of International Relations and Cooperation Director, Dr. Anna May Yap-Zerrudo.
Presenters from Canada, China, Myanmar, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines presented their research in four parallel sessions that were divided into the following topics: Education/Pedagogical Approaches, Technology/Engineering, Business and Economics, and Environment/Tourism and Education.
“When we collaborate closely and share knowledge in respective researches, more can be accomplished,” said CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles. He also said that the conference is a breakthrough considering the pandemic that has caused challenges among institutions.
During the conference, the Keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education. Zhengzhou University of Industrial Technology Vice President, Dr. Tianhe Qiu delivered the plenary lecture on Day 1 entitled “The Mental Process of Formulating Indirect Requests: An Interdisciplinary Multiple theory-based Approach” while the plenary lecture for Day 2 was delivered by Philippine Rice Research Institute Consultant, Dr. Ravindra Chandra Joshi who spoke on the topic entitled “Home Garden Models to address Family Food and Nutrition Security issues in COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Central Philippine University-Emerging Asian Research Network International Research aims to be an avenue for knowledge sharing of educators and research scholars in research, sustainability and innovation, and education. It provides a platform for contributing interdisciplinary experiences in the academe and industry and discussing the most recent innovations, trends, and challenges as well as the adopted solutions that address gaps in practice for the benefit of society.
The participants during the conference represented the following institutions:
1. Kasetsart University- Thailand
2. Zhengzhou University of Industrial Technology- China
3. Changjung Christian University- Taiwan
4. Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association- Canada
5. Dagon University- Myanmar
6. Zhengzhou-SIAS University- China
7. Tongmyoung University- South Korea
8. An Giang University- Vietnam
9. Huanghe Science and Technology University- China
10. Hebi Polytechnic- China
11. Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities-China
12. Henan University- China
13. Shengda University- China
14. Bukidnon State University
15. Northern Iloilo Polytechnic College
16. Iloilo Science and Technology University
17. Department of Education
18. University of San Agustin
19. Palompon Institute of Technology- Palompon, Leyte
20. Ardemil National High School- Sara, Iloilo
21. John B. Lacson Maritime University Maritime Foundation
22. West Visayas State University
23. Central Philippine University