The College of Education (CoEd) of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) Main Campus launched its first-ever Research Symposium this Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Hasá Hasá Theatre and Library AVR, Main Campus–Tiwi Site, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, gathering 280 senior education students and their professors to strengthen competencies in data gathering and research practices.
The day-long activity featured simultaneous sessions on quantitative and qualitative research led by faculty experts and invited resource speakers. In the quantitative track named after statistician Ronald Fisher, Dr. Ramir Torreces opened with a discussion on preparing valid, reliable, and quality research instruments and materials. He was followed by Dr. Ronilo Aponte, who underscored the importance of conducting ethical and inclusive quantitative studies, and Dr. Jeena Torred, who guided students in choosing appropriate statistical tools to ensure meaningful results. The sessions emphasized rigor in design, ethics, and analysis, equipping participants with practical approaches to improve their thesis work.
Meanwhile, in the qualitative track under Norman Denzin’s banner, Prof. Christine Deocampo and Dr. Rex Paulino shared strategies in pro-actively and efficiently preparing for the conduct of their study, while CoEd Dean Matthew Lasap highlighted effective fieldwork and tips for conducting ethical and inclusive studies in diverse contexts. Prof. Bonifacio Zamora Jr. concluded with insights on collating, organizing, and preparing qualitative data for analysis. Together, the sessions drew attention to the “garbage in, garbage out” principle, stressing that quality input data is essential for producing valuable research outcomes.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Joan M. Belga graced the program, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to mentoring student researchers. “Research is not just compliance. It is our way of shaping educators who can think critically and respond meaningfully to community needs,” Belga said during her remarks.
Dean Lasap, prime mover of the initiative, said the symposium was born out of a concern that many students were engaging in qualitative studies without sufficient preparation. “We wanted to make sure our students are not only guided by their advisers but also equipped as a college with one mind and one heart toward research,” Lasap said.
Lasap added that the activity also sought to foster a common language among faculty and students in approaching data collection and analysis. He noted that collaboration and shared understanding were vital in enhancing student learning experiences.
Program Highlights
The symposium was divided into two parallel tracks, named after scholars Ronald Fisher and Norman Denzin, covering both quantitative and qualitative research. Sessions tackled instrument validation, ethical considerations, statistical tool selection, and effective fieldwork techniques. Workshop tasks allowed participants to apply principles directly to their ongoing theses.
The symposium was designed as the first part of a two-phase activity, with the second phase on data analysis targeted at the end of the year. For now, students are scheduled to conduct their research from September to October, with final defenses set for the first week of December.
The event also addressed concerns on research formatting and stylistic issues in thesis writing. Dr. Armando Katalbas was tasked to discuss proper template use and clarify stylistic elements to ensure uniformity across submissions.
Belga, who personally visited both session venues, commended the college’s effort to align with ISUFST’s vision of fostering innovation and quality education. “By guiding our students at this stage, we are also advancing the university’s thrusts under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education,” she said.
The symposium forms part of ISUFST’s broader strategy to cultivate a stronger research culture across its five campuses. As the country’s first and only fisheries university, ISUFST has earned recognition for excellence in teaching, extension, and research, including recent awards from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and a debut in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for SDG achievements. (Arniel Clarite, Herman Lagon, Edeline Joy Brito/PAMMCO)
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