Benguet State University (BSU), through the Office of the VP for Research and Extension successfully held the 9th University Student Research Congress themed Pan-aamta-an: Shaping Global Scientist and Citizens through Excellence in Research. The activity was held on June 10-22, 2025 at the Research & Extension Building and Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center.
This year’s USRC showcased a total of 122 research papers presented by undergraduate and graduate students under the Science and Technology Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (S&T AANR), S&T Food, Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technologies (FIEET), Social AANR, Social Non-AANR, and Education categories.
In his welcome remarks, VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres reminded students of the purpose behind their academic work saying, “Research is an avenue for the students to share scientific and cultural stories.”
BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan urged graduating students to apply a scientific mindset in their future careers. He reminded them that they are actually being shaped to become scientists who helps improve communities through research.
“Carry with you the experience of presenting your research… and of course what it can do for the community,” he added.
The keynote speaker, retired UP Professor/Scientist I, Erlinda Castro-Palaganas reminded BSU students of the values every good researcher must have which includes curiosity, ambition, enthusiasm and passion, resilience and hard work, discipline, confidence, and humility. Castro-Palaganas who is a key member of the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium was introduced as a leader who “not only teaches in the classroom, but also transforms communities.”
She encouraged students to stay curious, ask questions like a toddler, have ambition that uplifts others, and pursue their work with passion. Her favorite value, she said, is humility “Be like the bamboo. The higher it goes, the deeper it bows.”
Afterwards, the mechanics and criteria for evaluation were presented, and the evaluators were introduced. Student researchers presented their papers simultaneously under different categories.
Ivy Jane V. Miguel, co-chair of the USRC documentation team presented a synthesis during the closing program. She stated that evaluators reminded students to “close the loop,” meaning research findings should be shared with relevant institutions for input, feedback, or policy-making, emphasizing that “research should not end in journals, it must lead to action.”
Likewise, VP for Academic Affairs Janet P. Pablo encouraged students to pursue research with purpose, saying, “True excellence in research is measured not just by the gaps, problems that you answered in your research, or questions of our evaluators that you just have answered, but by the community problems that it solves and the lives that it touches.”
One evaluator from each category shared their feedback and appreciation to the presenters commending the students’ efforts and dedication. Also, the presenters under each category shared insights gained throughout the event and their research endeavors.
Finally, Office of Research Services (ORS) Director Ruth S. Batani ended the event by commending students for their dedication and research excellence. She was also inspired by the high school students.
She emphasized that all participants were already winners by joining the event and thanked faculty advisers, evaluators, and university leaders for their support.
“Let’s nourish this, let’s flourish as future researchers,” she said, encouraging continued growth in research and academic pursuits.
1st BEST PAPER: Mt. Data National Park: Assessment of Spatiotemporal Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Change, Tree Species Diversity and Socio-Economics Drivers by ALDRIN V. BANIAGA, College of Natural Sciences
2nd BEST PAPER: Organophosphate Degradation and Plant Growth-Promoting Activity of Soil Bacteria Isolated from Vegetable Farms in Benguet, Philippines by JAYSON D. KOMICHO, College of Natural Sciences
3rd BEST PAPER: Agronomic Performance and Physiological Responses in Inbred Rice (RC 512) Using Drone Seeding Technology by RANDY T. SORIANO, College of Agriculture
𝐒&𝐓 𝐀𝐀𝐍𝐑- 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐄
1st BEST PAPER: Bioremediation Potential of Heavy Metal and Pesticide Tolerant Poaceae Endophytes from an Open Pit Mining Area in Luneta, Itogon, Benguet by NATASHA C. CAYABAN, DESIREE F. PADKIW, & GERALDINE P. TICA-A, College of Natural Sciences