Extension Services Office spearheads Day 2 of International Conference on Research Innovation and Community Engagement (IConRICE)
Bulacan State University (BulSU) held its first hybrid international research paper presentation since the
pandemic dubbed as International Conference on Research Innovation and Community Engagement (IConRICE) through the Office of the Vice President for Research Development and Extension together with its international partner, the Wetlands International last December 14-16, 2022.
The three-day conference themed, Research Innovation and Community Engagement: Catalysts in Shaping the Society was generally conducted to be an avenue of opportunity for disseminating cutting edge research findings as well as to expose researchers in their chosen field receiving inputs from experts on how to strengthen their work in return. Day one session was spearheaded by the Research Management Office. Various research paper presentations both in professional and student categories were introduced.
For the second day of IConRICE, in his message, Dr. Teody C. San Andres, Executive Vice President hoped that the conference will help us realize better approaches in solving our social and economic challenges. Dr. Annadel S. Cabanban, Country Representative for Wetlands International expressed her gratitude to BulSU for being part of the conference. She also emphasized the importance of wetlands and gave light on their recent engagement with coastal areas in Bulacan establishing Associated Mangrove Approach.
Covering second day’s morning session headed by the Extension Services Office were the presentations of two international speakers from the Lingnan University, Hong Kong and Wetlands International.
In his discussion, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Albert Ko of Lingnan University, Hongkong tackled humanitarian and inclusive business. Dr. Ko is a Mechanical Engineer and was exposed to humanitarian mission when he was younger. He shared his projects in robotics: search and rescue for earthquake and modular robot. According to Dr. Ko, humanitarian technology is intended to solve the dilemma of climate change, disaster response and global health challenges for a wider range of community especially the underprivileged.
Meanwhile the second guest speaker, Dr. Ritesh Kumar of Wetland International – South Asia discussed the wise use of wetlands. He reiterated in his lecture that ecological character is as important as wetlands character which is part of a system property.
After the discussions, open forum was prioritized. The latter part of the second day of conference was hosted by the Development and Innovation Office.
IConRICE concluded by conducting voluntary field activities as part of Environmental Volunteerism Movement: A Community Engagement Day (EnVMACED). These activities are the simultaneous reforestation activities in upland and coastal areas of Bulacan specifically at Sitio Suha, San Mateo, Norzagaray Bulacan and Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan. A total of 150 participants combined composed of BulSU Administrators, Faculty members, Non-Academic personnel and students joined the activities.
EnVMACED was made possible through the efforts of the Research Management Office; College of Science and the Institute of Environmental Governance.