Last January 27, 2022, Malayan Colleges Laguna, A Mapúa School (MCL) held the 2022 Faculty Research Colloquium via Zoom. With the theme “All Hands on Deck: Building Professionals Through Research Collaboration,” the event started with the opening remarks from MCL’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Anthony Hilmer S. Medrano.
Dean Khristian G. Kikuchi of the College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS) introduced the resource speaker for the plenary session, Dr. Nares Pantaratorn, Vice President for Research at Rangsit University in Thailand. Dr. Pantaratorn discussed the importance of faculty research. He shared that a lot of people are too intimidated to conduct their studies, and with this, he said, “People always think [that] research is such a big thing and too tough to accomplish [but] I really would like to encourage you to think about research positively.” Dr. Pantaratorn also reminded everyone that research doesn’t have to be a big or new knowledge but rather, it could start even in the smallest problems that people encounter in their everyday routine.
During the question-and-answer session, Dr. Pantaratorn was joined by his colleagues from Rangsit University, Dr. Kanda Wongwailikhit and Dr. Chatchai Trakulrungsi. They invited MCL to their next international forum and they said that they are open and looking forward to future research collaboration with MCL and its faculty members. After the Q&A session, the awarding ceremony for the event’s plenary speaker was led by MCL’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Engr. Maribel G. Songsong.
Faculty members from the College of Arts and Science (CAS), College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS), Enrique T. Yuchengco College of Business (ETYCB), and Mapúa Institute of Technology at Laguna (MITL) presented their papers for the Research Colloquium.
The presenters were Dr. Ronald Allan S. delos Reyes from CAS, with his research titled, ‘Preparation of Calcium Citrate Malate Using Citric Acid and Malic Acid with Calcium Hydroxide Synthesized from Duck Eggshell’; Prof. Dennis A. Martillano from CCIS with his study titled, ‘Wearable Tool for Breathing Pattern Recognition and Exacerbation Monitoring for COPD Patients via a Device-to-Cloud Communication Model’; Prof. Donn Enrique L. Moreno, with his research, ‘Atmospheric Cues Roles: Customer’s Online Trust, Perceived Enjoyment, and Impulse Buying Behavior Published in the Open Journal of Business and Management’; Engr. Kristine R. Cervancia, et al. from MITL with their study, ‘Assessment, Monitoring, and Reduction Strategy Development for Non-Revenue Water (NRW) of Calamba Water District (CWD), Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines’; Engr. Neslyn L. Principio, et al. from MITL, with their study, ‘Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Macro Flat Fiber and Rice Hull Ash as Partial Replacement to Cement’; and Engr. Alexander Hamilton S. Atienza, et al. From MITL, with their study, ‘Development of a Farm Scale Agricultural Water Sprinkler for Crop Irrigation.’
An open forum was conducted after the presentation of the research papers where faculty members explained their research rationale and answered various questions from the participants. After the open forum, Engr. Songsong presented the International Publication Award to Dr. Ronald Allan S. delos Reyes, in recognition of his Scopus-indexed publication.
The fruitful and insightful event ended with Engr. Songsong’s closing remarks. She expressed her utmost appreciation to all the researchers and distinguished guests for sharing their expertise and research works. “I do hope that your presentations had inspired our faculty and boosted their creative minds to think of more ways to contribute to the body of knowledge,” said VPAA Songsong. She also urged everyone to start pursuing collaborative research with Rangsit University and with other local and international research partners of MCL.