Proving that she is on her way to becoming a research university and to effectively disseminate the various creative research outputs of the students together with their faculty advisers to the academic community, Saint Louis University held a month-long and university-wide Research and Inventions Month from February 13 to March 10, 2012.

Previously observed for only one week for the past five years, the event was expanded by the SLU administration this school year “to have a less hectic and more meaningful celebration.” The change also enabled the researchers to have better and well-prepared presentations.

The event is organized by the Research, Extension and Publications Office (REPO) in coordination with all the schools (formerly called colleges) and other offices concerned.

In the Bonifacio main campus, the observance was highlighted by the five-day exhibit of selected and prime research outputs at the Diego Silang building lobby which was officially opened by SLU president Fr. Jessie Hechanova. Since all schools were encouraged to organize activities at their own levels, research paper presentations were scheduled in SLU’s Bonifacio, Gonzaga and Maryheights college campuses.

23rd BPI-DOST Science Awards

Kicking-off an early celebration was the holding of the 23rd BPI-DOST Science Awards ceremony February 3 at the Center for Culture and the Arts theater where top three outstanding research outputs from the Schools of Natural Sciences, Computing and Information Sciences, and Engineering and Architecture were formally awarded. It was attended by the officials of SLU, Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation, and the Department of Science and Technology as well as the parents and guardians of the awardees, their teachers and classmates.

One of these three projects won the coveted and national-level Best Project of the Year Award given January 20 by the BPI Foundation. It is the second consecutive year that SLU received this prestigious award.

Since 1989, the BPI-DOST Science Awards has become a perennial venue in recognizing exceptional graduating students who excel in mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology and computer science.

SLU is the only university in northern Luzon and one among only 10 universities nationwide accredited by BPI and DOST to participate in the awards program starting in 1998.

5th ICT Research Congress

The 5th ICT Research Congress organized by the School of Computing and Information Sciences followed on February 17 to 18 at the CCA theater where a total of 29 research outputs were presented by the students and faculty from SLU, University of Baguio, Benguet State University, University of the Cordilleras, Divine Word College of Vigan and Magic Webs SEO. The recipient of the 2012 BPI-DOST Best Project of the Year was also presented.

These different research outputs reflected the chosen congress theme which is “Advancing ICT Research through the Fusion of Emerging Concepts and Technologies in the Academe.” More than 300 student researchers and faculty advisers from nine other higher education institutions attended, the majority of which came from Pangasinan State University Bayambang campus.

The congress was conducted by the SCIS in coordination with the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators-CAR chapter headed by SCIS dean Dr. Cecilia Mercado.

13th Regional Nursing Research Congress

Simultaneously held with the SCIS congress on February 18, the 13th Regional Nursing Research Congress organized this time by the School of Nursing at the Prince Bernhard gym focused on the theme “Communicating Nursing Knowledge through Publication.”

Six research outputs were tackled during the half-day congress with CHED-CAR education supervisor Melody Labawig giving the opening remarks and REPO director Dr. Gaston Kibiten as the guest speaker on the topic “Research output publication: Spanning the last mile.” Some 1,351 participants from 16 Nursing schools of Regions CAR and I attended.

Exhibits, demonstrations and presentations of other schools

On the other hand, the School of Natural Sciences through its different departments such as Radiologic Technology, Biology, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science presented a total of 25 researches, either as products, demonstrations, posters or oral presentations. The Chemistry department scheduled the best chemistry functional model contest, and microscale chemistry tools, experiments, and toys with the theme “CHEMTASTIC: Hands-on and minds-on chemistry.” The seminar that was conducted included speakers from U.P. Diliman and Lesoshoppe Philippines.

The School of Engineering and Architecture presented a total of 43 research outputs using prototypes, posters and products with demonstration both at the Diego Silang building lobby and at the Otto Hahn building. The Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronics, Electronics, Architecture, Electrical, Chemical and Civil departments were likewise actively involved.

Most of the presentations from the School of Humanities are outputs of the Psychology department which accounted for eight out of 22 research outputs. The other departments which had paper presentations were Communication, Political and Social Sciences, English and Social Work.

The School of Medicine posted six poster presentations at the Silang building lobby alongside the exhibits of the other schools.

For the School of Teacher Education, 38 research outputs produced by the students of BSED and BEED courses were presented at the Gonzaga campus main conference room, each facilitated by a faculty member. The Filipino department also held a research forum for three researches all written and presented in Filipino.

Finally, choice researches were also presented at the Maryheights campus by the School of Accountancy and Business Management undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members as well as guest presenters from other HEIs.

SLU shall pursue to hold this annual event particularly in order to sustain the efforts of showcasing the research outputs and inventions of her students as well as their faculty advisers, and generally to fulfill the core values of the University.

By annually highlighting these research outputs and inventions, SLU hopes that her students will become role models in motivating their fellow students towards achieving academic excellence and transforming themselves into productive members of the society.