By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has entered this year’s Global Reach 2021 Virtual Research Symposium organized by Canada’s Dalhousie University (DAL).

Thirteen faculty members and three graduate students represented the University in the international event last July 21-22, having been accepted for paper presentations. 

They are Prof. Jessica G. Asuncion, Prof. Alice Geraldine H. Pagaling, Prof. Elpidio P. Cadalzo, Prof. Mae Anne R. Batuyong, and Dr. Doreen Domingo from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Dr. Eva Jean Y. Viernes from the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA); Dr. Felicitas Sanculi and Dr. Lorma M. Valera from the College of Industrial Technology (CIT); Prof. John Paul C. Valiente, Dr. Mark R. Limon, Dr. Aleli R. Matin, and Mr. Leonardo D. Tejano from the College of Teacher Education (CTE), and Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino from the Graduate School (GS), together with MA Education graduate students Ms. Clariza C. Quiambao and Ms. Lubeth T. Cabatu (Special Education), and Mr. Rolando Aurelio, Jr. (Science Education). 

They presented 11 research topics for the global symposium. Five are under the natural and biological sciences category, while six are on humanities and social sciences. 

Entries for the natural and biological sciences were the following: Characterization of Porcine Colostrum Oligosaccharides by LC/MS/MS and Antibody (lgA) Activities in Immunodeficient Mice by Asuncion; Utilization of Selected Algal Species as Natural Food for Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.) by Pagaling; Salinity and Dissolved Oxygen Tolerance of two Potentially Invasive Predatory Catfish Species by Cadalzo; Rubiaceae Flora of Northwestern Luzon Philippines by Batuyong; and Potential of New Food Products (Moringa and Saluyot Powder) for Rural Communities by Sanculi and Valera. 

On the other hand, the following were entries for the humanities and social sciences: Design Challenges of Agritourism Modality in Enhancing University Tourism Program by Viernes and Aquino; Examining Relationships Between Faculty Educational Attainment and their Performances in Research and Instruction through Motivation System and Teacher Change Theories by Valiente; Validation of a Researcher-Developed Food Safety Curriculum Guide for Junior High School Students Using Delphi Technique by Limon; Engaging Learners with Difficulties (LWDS) in Remote Learning Under the New Normal by Quiambao and Cabatu; Parental Involvement in Children’s Learning of Life Sciences in the New Normal by Aurelio and Martin; and Ablon ken Dakkel a Danum (Ilokano Indigenous Manual Healing and Paoay Lake): Recounting Ilokano Indigenous Healing Arts and Places by Tejano. 

Dr. Aquino, also the chief of the University’s international programs, said the Global Reach 2021 brings out the best of graduate school researches from each participating institutional partners of DAL, addressing this year’s theme, “Solving Agricultural Problems through Research and Innovation.”

“The symposium continues to foster knowledge exchange and establish research networks of participating institutions in making agriculture in the frontline of sustainable development amidst climate change and globalization,” he added. 

He further explained that DAL gathered its partner-universities in China, India, and the Philippines for the global symposium to offer opportunities for faculty and students of graduate schools to present their research studies on the aforementioned fields, including agriculture, environmental science, engineering, and other related fields.

Last June, MMSU and DAL formally tied up to promote international collaboration in the field of agriculture, aqua-fisheries, aquaculture, and supporting sciences. This was one of the products of the Philippine-Canada Universities Education Consortium for International Collaborative Partnerships (PhilCanEDUCON – Magic 7+).

For their part, the participants from the said colleges expressed gratitude to the MMSU’s External Linkages and Partnerships – International Programs office, ELP Director Dr. Mee Jay A. Domingo, and the whole University administration for the opportunity. (StratCom)