By Dr. Laarni Natividad, University Research and Innovation Conference
Saint Louis University co-hosted the 10th Huachiew Chalermprakiet University (HCU) National and International Academic E-Conference last 29 June 2023 focused on exploring the role of research in addressing societal challenges and advancing sustainable development goals. HCU in Thailand is an academic partner of SLU.
The event was divided into two parts: a morning session showcasing best practices for achieving sustainable goals in higher education and an afternoon session of research paper presentations.
HCU National and International E-Conference: Morning Session
The morning session began with the welcoming of distinguished guests, co-hosts, and participants. Dr. Jonathan Rante Carreon, an alumnus of Saint Louis University and the Vice-President of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, set the tone for the day’s proceedings by discussing the rationale and objectives of the conference.
Subsequently, Dr. Uraipan Janvanichyanont, the President of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration and stressed the significance of research in society through opening remarks.
The Vice President for Environment and Sustainable Development of Mahidol University, Dr. Kitikorn Charmondusit, delivered the plenary speech entitled “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: Best Practices, Synergies, and Trade-offs.” Dr. Charmondusit emphasized the need for collaboration and striking balance between different sustainable development goals in higher education institutions.
Each co-host university presented their activities and best practices in attaining sustainable development goals, starting with Dr. Stephanie Busbus, the Chair of the Institution Reputation and Effectiveness Committee at Saint Louis University. Dr. Busbus presented SLU’s five exemplary projects that integrated specific SDGs.
The first being the SDG 1 “No Poverty,” highlighting the “Talon iti Namnama: Farm of Hope” initiative, and the second being SDG 3, “Good Health and Well-Being,” exemplifying SLU’s Smoke-free Policy and the provision of sexual and reproductive health care services for students. For SDG 13, “Climate Action,” SLU showcased the Solar Coffee Dryer Project and the Sewage Treatment Plant utilizing an Advanced Wastewater Treatment System Specification.
These projects contributed to SLU’s overall ranking of 801-1000 in the THE Impact Ranking 2023.
HCU National and International E-Conference: Morning Session
During the afternoon session, students from various fields showcased their research findings, particularly the groups led by Dr. Marilyn Balmeo (STELA) under the field of Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Dr. Beverly Estephany Ferrer and Dr. Josephine Dela Cruz (SAMCIS and SAS, IT Program) and Sheena (SEA and SAS, Engineering program) under Science and Technology. The presenters and the titles of their presentations are as follows:
- Presenter: Arian Carl A. Cayton
Program: BS Computer Science
School: SAMCIS
Title of the Talk: Detection and Categorization of Hateful Speech in Social Media by Fine Tuning Bert Model for Multitask Classification
- Presenter: Dajen S. Torralba
Program: BS Computer Science
School: SAMCIS
Title of the Talk: Prediction of Human Central Features using a PLP-CNN Voice Input Approach
- Presenter: Britanny M. Baldovino
Program: Master in Information Technology
School: SAS
Title of the Talk: “MotivEat”: A Nudging-based Motivative Daily Meal Planner Integrating User Macronutrients and Ingredients
- Presenter: Sheena Assayco
Program: Faculty/ SAS Student
Title of the Talk: Assessing the Impact of Building Heights to Thermal Conditions of Central Business District: The Case of Session Road, Baguio City
- Presenter: Bryan Catama
Status: Faculty
School: STELA
Title of the Talk: Empowering and Equipping Parents with the Basic Intervention Skills in Handling their Children with Special Learning Needs at Bahong, La Trinidad, Benguet
- Presenters: Eliza Esther Faith Nafianog and Susanne Lory Thea Tagulao
Program: BSED Social Studies
School: STELA
Title of the Talk: Transportation Preferences of the Louisian Students
- Presenters: Zyvynx Jhy Ariaga and Brian Gil Napigue
Program: BSED Social Studies
School: STELA
Title of the Talk: Louisians’ Level of Awareness on Water Treatment Facilities in Baguio City
- Presenters: Simon Renz Bartolome and Nathali Joyce Habungan
Program: BSED Social Studies
School: STELA
Title of the Talk: Tumblers vs Plastic Bottles: Awareness and Utilization Behavior of Louisians
- Presenters: Mariella Bañez and Xerxes Kyron Opalec
Program: BS Computer Science
School: SAMCIS
Title of the Talk: Distinguishing Diffusion-Generated Images from Natural Images using a CNN Model Built from Scratch
The faculty members of the co-hosting universities served diligently as peer reviewers, ensuring the quality and integrity of the research outputs presented. The following are the peer reviewers from Saint Louis University: Dr. Lord Byron Gonzales (SEA), Dr. Glory Drequito (SAMCIS), Dr. Randy Domantay (SAMCIS), Dr. Norbert Angalan (SONAHBS), Dr. Freda Paulino (STELA), and Dr. Marilyn Balmeo (STELA).
The event was a success after accentuating the significance of research in advancing society and sustainable development goals. The insightful speeches, best practices presentations, and valuable research contributions shared at the conference offered an avenue for universities to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration.
