In line with the mission to cultivate future-ready human capital through responsive research and development, Benguet State University convened faculty researchers and evaluators for the Pitching and Review of Research Proposals for 2027 Benguet State University Funding on May 20 to 21, 2026, at the Research and Extension Building and the Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC), under the theme, “PAN-NGANGALATAN: Fostering Responsible and Responsive Research.”

The two-day activity served as a platform for faculty researchers to present and refine proposed studies for possible University funding in 2027, ensuring that research initiatives remain responsive to emerging concerns and aligned with the institution’s mandate of generating relevant, innovative, and development-oriented knowledge outputs.

Research proposals presented during the activity were aligned with the University’s priority research agendas, namely: food security and poverty reduction; sustainable development and environmental stewardship; competitiveness through the improvement of existing production and post-production systems and the promotion of optimal utilization of selected commodities; research and development support to allied agricultural and forestry services; socio-cultural, economic, and environmental health concerns; gender and development; and education.

The pitching and review process provided an avenue for researchers to strengthen the quality, relevance, and feasibility of their proposed studies through expert evaluation and scholarly discussions. Through the activity, proponents were encouraged to ensure that their research initiatives address institutional, community, and sectoral needs while contributing to evidence-based solutions and sustainable development.

A plenary session was likewise delivered by Zenaida Brigida Hamada–Pawid, former chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), who shared valuable insights on responsible and responsive research. Her discussion emphasized the importance of culturally grounded, community-responsive, and ethically informed research engagements, particularly in strengthening inclusivity and social relevance in knowledge generation.

Anchored on the theme, the activity underscored the University’s continuing commitment to advancing research that addresses pressing societal concerns while promoting innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development.

Moreover, the initiative is in support of BSU’s mission of cultivating future-ready human capital through responsive research and development by supporting research endeavors that generate practical, evidence-based, and socially relevant solutions for communities and industries.