The Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), through its Office of Research, Development, and Innovation headed by Dr. Grace D. Buencillo, successfully conducted the 2nd Multidisciplinary Students’ Research Congress on May 19–20, 2025.
The two-day event showcased the exceptional research outputs of both undergraduate and graduate students across various thematic areas including agriculture, fisheries, technology, health, and education. The congress featured oral presentations, poster exhibitions, policy briefs, and capstone projects highlighting innovation, community relevance, and scientific rigor.
𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗚𝗢𝗥𝗬
On May 19, undergraduate students competed under five research themes:
- Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources: 𝗝𝗶𝗺𝗿𝗲𝗰 𝗗. 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗗. 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 of the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (IFMS) took 1st place for their study on Otter Clam catch assessment in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental.
- Social, Cultural Development, Health and Wellness: 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗔. 𝗨𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗱 from the Institute of Human Service (IHS) bagged 1st place for their study on parenting and delinquency.
- Technology: 𝗔𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝘆𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮 of IASDC secured top honors for developing a portable durian opener.
- Product Development (Food): 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗔. 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗵 𝗜. 𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗼’s milkfish paksiw innovation earned 1st place.
- Policy Brief: 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗕. 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 led with her LAMBAY Policy promoting sustainable blue swimming crab fishing.
In the Poster Category, top honors went to 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗕. 𝗞𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮 𝗖. 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹 for their Adlai Grain Sorter project.
GRADUATE SCHOOL CATEGORY
Held on May 20, the graduate research competition featured in-depth studies such as:
- 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗠. 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗴𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻‘s first-prize-winning work on formative feedback among English teachers (MAED-LT).
- 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗹 𝗩. 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗮 𝗟. 𝗟𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘁 placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, with studies on work-life balance and microplastic ingestion in fish.
The Research Congress served as a platform to foster a culture of inquiry, creativity, and academic excellence among the SPAMAST community.
