Benguet State University concluded its Annual In-House Review themed “Pantabtavalan: Cultivating Excellence in Transformative and Innovative RDE” with a closing program at the Everlasting Hall, Research and Extension Building. The activity highlighted presentations, evaluation, product pitching, and discussions on how research and extension can create meaningful impact beyond the university.

The two-day activity featured 92 research papers, nine product pitches, and 15 evaluators across five thematic areas: Science and Technology Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (S&T AANR); Social and Non-Social Non-AANR; Development and Extension; S&T Food, Industry, Engineering and Emerging Technologies (FIEET); and Education.

As the presentations concluded, researchers expressed appreciation for the opportunity to have their work examined from different perspectives. The presenters noted that receiving fresh perspectives from evaluators helped widen their understanding of their own work and opened opportunities for improvement.

The evaluators likewise shared their observations and recommendations, emphasizing that the review is not merely a measure of what researchers have accomplished, but an avenue to make their work stronger, more relevant, and more responsive.

For S&T AANR, Evaluator Nelson Pampolina emphasized the importance of receiving critique from outside the researchers’ immediate circles. He provided insights on the structure, creation, presentation, and validation of research results, encouraging researchers to subject their work to perspectives that can further strengthen its credibility and quality.

In Social Non-AANR, Evaluator Emma Liza Dacquigan noted the continuing improvement of social research and emphasized the importance of strengthening conceptual and theoretical frameworks by considering the other variables that may influence a phenomenon. She observed that social research reflects what is happening in society and expressed appreciation for the increasing integration of gender in research, including studies examining gender roles and related social realities.

Evaluator Bernise Aquino-See, for S&T FIEET, called on BSU to return to and recognize its roots, particularly the value of Indigenous knowledge, science, and technology. She emphasized that Indigenous systems can be at par with conventional science and technology and pointed to the importance of continuing advocacy for Indigenous Peoples’ recognition and intellectual property. She encouraged researchers to look more closely at Indigenous knowledge systems, technologies, products, and practices and translate these into opportunities for promotion and development.

Aquino-See also expressed appreciation for the number of studies centered on farming and assistance to agriculture, noting that research should continue addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.

For Education category, Evaluator Mark Preston Lopez described the presentations as “setting the bar too high,” reflecting his appreciation of the quality of the outputs and the researchers’ focus on producing tangible results. At the same time, he identified the strengthening of theoretical frameworks as an area for further improvement.

Development and Extension evaluator Evelyn Aro-Esquejo recognized the quality of the extension outputs and shared insights on the differences between the State Universities and Colleges and government agencies in delivering extension services. She emphasized the importance of appropriate extension approaches and, particularly, understanding the users and intended beneficiaries of technologies.

These observations echoed the message of VP for Administration and Finance Richard Kinnud, who emphasized that the review was intended to make research stronger through constructive examination and feedback. The call to make research useful and accessible was further illustrated through the story of Mana Tong, which centered on the idea of keeping food and resources for one’s own purposes. The story provided a parallel to research: knowledge is not meant to be kept to oneself. Like resources that must be shared and utilized, research must also move beyond its creators and be shared, applied, and utilized by the communities and sectors it intends to serve.

For VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian Lumbres, the In-House Review was more than an occasion to present results. It was an opportunity to demonstrate to the community and stakeholders what BSU researchers are producing and to create greater attention toward research and its potential contributions. He encouraged the university community to develop the same enthusiasm for research presentations that people demonstrate for sports and other major events, emphasizing the importance of recognizing research as an activity worthy of attention, participation, and support.

VP for Academic Affairs Janet Pablo highlights the fundamental role of research and extension in the university. “Truly, research and extension is also a lifeblood of a university. It generates new knowledge, challenges existing ideas, and drives innovation.” She further emphasized that research strengthens teaching while providing evidence-based solutions to problems, highlighting the interconnected role of research, instruction, extension, and innovation in fulfilling the university’s mission.

As the activity came to a close, the message of the In-House Review became clear: excellence in research and extension is not measured solely by the number of studies completed or technologies developed, but by the extent to which knowledge is strengthened, shared, applied, and transformed into meaningful action.

Through Pantabtavalan, BSU once again affirmed its commitment to cultivating research and extension that are rigorous, relevant, innovative, and responsive, research that does not remain on paper, but moves toward communities and contributes to development.//CD De Guzman, N. Sudaypan