Strengthening its role in global academic advancement, Saint Louis University (SLU) served as a co-organizing institution for the 1st International Conference on Sustainable Development in Education, Technology, Agriculture, and Gender and Development (ICSDETAGD) held on 26-27 March 2026 at Isabela State University (ISU) Main Campus, Echague, Isabela.
The conference opened with a strong demonstration of solidarity between the participating institutions. Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, SLU President, delivered a message of support, highlighting the university’s commitment to sustainable progress.
Furthering this collaboration, a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony was held, officially linking ISU with its co-organizing partners. Representing SLU during this ceremony was Randy Domantay, PhD, Head of the Computer Science Department under the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS).
SLU faculty and students made significant contributions to the conference’s parallel sessions, showcasing diverse research across multiple disciplines.
- Best Paper Award: The research titled “Comparative Analysis of Traditional Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models for Strawberry Disease Detection,” presented by Josephine Dela Cruz, PhD (SAMCIS – IT Faculty) along with students Ms. Christine Angela Lapus and Joanalyn Mae Palangdan, was awarded Best Paper in the Student Category under the Engineering, Computing, and Technology Cluster. The study was conducted under the expert advisership of Dr. Dela Cruz and Beverly Ferrer, PhD.
- Dorothy Silva, PhD, Graduate Program Coordinator for Teacher Education, School of Advanced Studies; and students Mr. Martin Ian Luke Aguilar and Mr. Frederick Bag-ayan Jr. presented their timely study, “Generative AI in Higher Education: Faculty Utilization and Safeguards.”
- Mr. Michael Anayasan (Faculty, PE Department, SLU-STELA) shared his research findings on the “Perception of Male Athletes on Exhibited Aggressive Behavior.”
Throughout the two-day summit, participants engaged in a comprehensive exchange of knowledge regarding the intersection of technology and human development. Attendees gained vital insights into reimagining education through pedagogical innovations and transformative learning approaches. The session highlighted critical nature-based solutions for food security amidst climate change and explored talent cultivation in microelectronics for biomedical applications.
The conference also provided essential guidance on securing research and innovation grants aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. Significant emphasis was placed don moving “from inclusion to impact” by integrating Gender and Development (GAD) into research frameworks, while also exploring how to harness emerging technologies for digital transformation in the academe.
The successful participation of the SLU delegation was made possible through the unwavering support of the administration. The university extends its deepest thanks to Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, for his visionary leadership, and to the RISE Center, under the guidance of Dr. Richel Lamadrid, for their commitment to empowering Lousian researchers on the international stage. (Article and photos by SLU-RISE Center)
