Student researchers from the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts of Saint Louis University (SLU) garnered three of the conference’s major awards–Best Abstract, Best Presenter, and Best Paper– at the 6th Regional Undergraduate Student’s Research Conference, held virtually via Zoom on 25 June 2026, and hosted by the University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City.
With the theme: “Exploring New Frontiers: Undergraduate Research in the Age of AI and Global Innovation,” the conference gathered undergraduate researchers from various higher education institutions across the country to showcase innovative and impactful research addressing contemporary educational and societal challenges. The research papers were categorized and evaluated under different areas: Contextualized and Community Responsive Teaching, Discipline-Specific Pedagogical Innovation, Sustainable and Future-Ready Teacher Development, and Evidence-Based Teaching and Policy Development. Under each area, student-researchers were eligible to receive awards for their research paper, namely Best Presenter, Best Paper, and Best Abstract.
Participating institutions included De La Salle University Laguna, Easter College, Ifugao State University, King’s College of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-San Pedro Campus, Rizal Technological University, Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig and the University of Cordilleras, alongside SLU.
The conference opened with a keynote address delivered by Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education–Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR) Serafin L. Ngohayon, PhD, CESE who highlighted the importance of undergraduate research in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and global innovation.
Representing SLU were two research groups from the Department of Professional Education guided by their faculty promoters, Prof. Johnell B. Desalit and Prof. Gilbert Allan N. Dispo, PhD.
The research entitled “Bridging the Gap: Listening and Reading Proficiency Levels of First-Year College Students,” advised by Prof. Desalit, received the Best Abstract Award, while Julius Christopher I. Laureano was recognized as the conference’s Best Presenter under the area of Evidence-Based Teaching and Policy Development for his outstanding presentation of the study. Other members of the research group are Mr. Mhyco M. Pilar, Mr. Laureano, Ms. Malaikka Grace S. Mendoza, Ms. Blessing Faith S. Pamittan, Ms. Delia B. Lumbaya, Ms. Apple Janine N. Mejia, Ms. Hannah Thalia R. Pilar, Ms. Dorothy Marie Paz C. Latosa, Ms. Corinne Julia B. Pugliatty, and Mr. Jeric Steven A. Ragasa.
Meanwhile, the research “Lived Experiences of Pre-Service English Teachers on Taglish Code-Switching,” advised by Prof. Dispo was awarded Best Paper under the area of Sustainable and Future-Ready Teacher Development, recognizing its significant contribution to language education research. Other members of the research group are Mr. Jearicko G. Lalata, Ms. Zhastyn Dane M. Alvarez, Ms. Christal Joy D. Asuncion, Mr. Ashton Ross S. Baldo, Mr. Vicente Bautista B. III, Mr. Jules Ryan B. Baylosis, Mr. Mark Jerold L. Benjok, Ms. Esther Odittah B. Cadiay, Mr. Marco Sebastian B. Canasa, Ms. Romicah Clarisse T. Cruz, and Ms. Rose Zinni B. Dang-ay.
These recognitions reflect SLU’s commitment to fostering research excellence, academic innovation, and meaningful scholarly engagement among its future educators. The achievements of the Louisian researchers stand as a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and passion for producing research that addresses real-world educational issues.
With its participation in the 6th Regional Undergraduate Students’ Research Conference, SLU maintains its commitment to upholding United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals) and dedication to its core value on innovation. (Article and Photos by STELA)
