{"id":16480,"date":"2025-08-13T18:15:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T18:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usep.edu.ph\/rdd\/?p=16480"},"modified":"2026-03-05T07:26:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:26:19","slug":"%f0%9d%90%88%f0%9d%90%82%f0%9d%90%98%f0%9d%90%8c%f0%9d%90%88-usep-champions-student-led-research-initiatives-policy-reform-through-the-2025-student-research-conference-and-policy-pitching-competiti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usep.edu.ph\/rdd\/2025\/08\/13\/%f0%9d%90%88%f0%9d%90%82%f0%9d%90%98%f0%9d%90%8c%f0%9d%90%88-usep-champions-student-led-research-initiatives-policy-reform-through-the-2025-student-research-conference-and-policy-pitching-competiti\/","title":{"rendered":"[\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc02\ud835\udc18\ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc08] USeP champions student-led research initiatives, policy reform through the 2025 Student Research Conference and Policy Pitching Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The University of Southeastern Philippines<\/span> (USeP) continues to raise the bar for research excellence with the successful conduct of the 2025 Student Research Conference and Policy Pitching Competition, held on July 31, 2025, via Zoom. This flagship event reaffirms the University\u2019s commitment to cultivating a research culture that empowers undergraduate student researchers to transform academic outputs into impact-driven solutions and policies.<\/p>\n

Organized by the Research and Development Division (RDD), the full-day conference was anchored on the theme \u201cTransforming Communities through Research, Development, and Innovation.\u201d It featured research paper presentations, a plenary session, and a structured policy pitching competition that are not only academically sound but also socially relevant, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Gender and Development (GAD) framework. The event brought together undergraduate student researchers from four thematic clusters: (1) Sustainable Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR); (2) Business, Economics, and Governance; (3) Engineering and Information and Communication Technology (ICT); and (4) Education, Arts, and Sciences.<\/p>\n

Opening the virtual platform for impactful discourse, Dr. Merlina H. Juruena, RDD Director, set the tone with a strong call to action, encouraging undergraduate students to harness their research as a force for community transformation. On behalf of University President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr., Dr. Roger C. Montepio, Vice President for RDE, delivered an inspiring message emphasizing the indispensable role of student voices in shaping responsive policies and advancing societal progress. Meanwhile, Dr. Randy A. Tudy, Deputy Director of the Publication Unit, grounded the event\u2019s purpose by highlighting the alignment of research outputs with the SDGs and GAD frameworks, reinforcing the relevance and impact of student-driven initiatives.<\/p>\n

The Plenary Talk, also delivered by Dr. Montepio, further deepened the discourse by challenging student researchers to go beyond academic compliance. He emphasized that research should not end in the classroom or remain confined within written reports. Instead, he urged them to embrace research as a lifelong mission, one that bridges ideas to action and knowledge to transformation.<\/p>\n

The momentum carried into the Policy Pitching Competition, moderated by Geol. Christian Paul F. Escarian, served as a compelling showcase of undergraduate students\u2019 ingenuity. Featuring a diverse range of topics, from wireless vital sign monitoring systems to UAV-driven pesticide drift reduction and fungicide efficacy for crop protection, the session revealed the capacity of USeP students to propose policy-ready, tech-driven, and community-aligned solutions. The competition fostered skills in critical thinking, research translation, and policy advocacy.<\/p>\n

Following the policy pitching was the Research Paper Presentations, facilitated by program emcee Ms. Lewi B. Origenes, spotlighted a wide spectrum of undergraduate research organized within the four thematic clusters. Each presenter articulated their study\u2019s significance, methodology, and findings. The session promoted interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraged constructive critique, and enhanced students\u2019 research communication skills, serving as preparation for future dissemination, publication, and policy engagement.<\/p>\n

Throughout the conference, an esteemed panel of evaluators provided expert insights and academic guidance throughout the presentations.<\/p>\n

The conference reached its pinnacle with the Awarding Ceremony, where the best policy pitch and most outstanding research papers were recognized with certificates and tokens of recognition. These winning entries will be recommended for potential presentation at regional or national research forums.<\/p>\n

AWARDEES<\/p>\n

Policy Pitching Competition<\/div>\n
\u2022 Best Policy Paper: \u201cReduction of UAV Pesticide Drift through Adaptive Wind Speed and Flight Altitude Strategies\u201d \u2013 Presented by Ms. Drixie Xyza T. Callena (CoE)<\/div>\n
Sustainable AANR Cluster<\/div>\n
\u2022 Best Paper: \u201cHost Range and Selected Fungicide Toxicity Against Neopestalotiopsis clavispora Causing Leaf Fall Disease of Rubber\u201d \u2013 Presented by Ms. Nur Jamma B. Constancio (CARS)<\/div>\n
\u2022 2nd Place: \u201cDevelopment of a Swine Wastewater (SWW) Treatment System\u201d \u2013 Presented by: Ms. Jesieca P. Natividad (CARS)<\/div>\n
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\u2022 3rd Place: \u201cAdaptability and Profitability of Nextgen 600 Rice Varieties for Palayamanan Farming in USeP Mabini\u201d \u2013 Presented by Ms. Shaira Kyte Rivera (CARS)<\/div>\n
Business, Economics, and Governance Cluster<\/div>\n
\u2022 Best Paper: \u201cModeling the Ripple Effect of Al-Related News on the Performance of Sector-Specific Philippine Stock Returns\u201d \u2013 Presented by: Mr. Jrexone B. Alao (CAEc)<\/div>\n
\u2022 2nd Place: \u201cModeling the Volatility of Exchange Rate and the Export Performance of the BPO Sector in the Philippines: An Empirical Evidence from GARCH and EGARCH\u201d \u2013 Presented by Ms. Aletha Mari M. Bersabe (CAEc)<\/div>\n
Engineering and ICT Cluster<\/div>\n
\u2022 Best Paper: \u201cPHONIPH\u00c0LEIA: Secure Web Voting with Zero-Knowledge Proof and Paillier’s Homomorphic Encryption\u201d \u2013 Presented by Mr. Harold Daniel S. Cayan (CIC)<\/div>\n
\u2022 2nd Place: \u201cHookEdu: A Phishing Awareness Training and Educational Platform for USeP Personnel and Students\u201d \u2013 Presented by: Ms. Sheardeeh Zurrielle B. Fernandez (CIC)<\/div>\n
Education, Arts, and Sciences Cluster<\/div>\n
\u2022 Best Paper: \u201cPath to Fluency: Use of Jigsaw Strategy in Improving the Oral Communication Fluency of BSEd English Students\u201d \u2013 Presented by Ms. Aura Bonn Jamoner (CTET)<\/div>\n
\u2022 2nd Place: \u201cForecasting Suicide Incidents in the Three-Component Cities of Davao del Norte: An Arima Modeling Approach\u201d \u2013 Presented by: Ms. Mary Jancine H. Bari\u00f1an (CTET)<\/div>\n
The event was formally concluded by Ms. Vera Kim S. Tequin, CIC-MCIIS Research Center Manager, who delivered a congratulatory message commending the students\u2019 confidence, clarity, and commitment to scholarly excellence. She also reaffirmed USeP\u2019s strong support for student-led research as a cornerstone of innovation, policy development, and community transformation.<\/div>\n
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More than a competition, the 2025 Student Research Conference and Policy Pitching Competition proved that USeP\u2019s student researchers are lifelines for communities, champions of policy, and torchbearers of a hopeful future.<\/p>\n

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#USePRDD2025<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
#WeBuildDreamsWithoutLimits<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
#USePCARES<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
#TransformingLivesAndCommunities
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