In partnership with leading academic institutions, the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-College of Development Education convened the 2025 4th International, 3rd National, and 9th Regional Forum on Education and Research on May 2–3, 2025. With the theme, “Innovating Education: Bridging Global Practices with Local Impact,” the virtual forum provided a platform for interdisciplinary discourse on contemporary pedagogical innovations, teacher education, and cross-cultural educational collaborations.
In cooperation with the Chinese University of Science and Technology (Taiwan), Universitas Mataram (Indonesia), University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the Bicol Association of Language and Literature Teachers (BALLT), the forum assembled a diverse cohort of educators, researchers, and students from various regions and institutions to examine local applications of global educational paradigms.
The conference commenced with institutional greetings delivered on behalf of SUC President IV Dr. Alberto N. Naperi by Atty. Dominador Faurillo, CBSUA’s Vice President for Administration and Finance. The opening session included an address by Dr. Jenifer R. Sevilla, President of BALLT, followed by a comprehensive forum rationale presented by Assoc. Prof. Melinda Parro-Pan, Dean of the College of Development Education.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Imam Bachtiar of Universitas Mataram, who presented his work on “Teaching Pre-Service Science Teachers in an Archipelagic Country.” His lecture foregrounded the complexities of science instruction in geographically dispersed contexts and highlighted scalable pedagogical frameworks suitable for insular and rural educational systems.
A plenary session by Dr. Rufo Gil Z. Albor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños provided a psychosocial lens to the academic environment, emphasizing institutional strategies for addressing mental health and burnout among faculty and students. Dr. Albor’s discussion aligned with the forum’s broader theme of fostering holistic learning environments.
In the afternoon of Day 1, student parallel breakout sessions showcased pre-service teachers’ empirical and theoretical research. These presentations, moderated and evaluated by academic panels, covered a wide spectrum of topics related to instructional design, language education, inclusive education, and educational technology.
Day 2 featured a second plenary address by Prof. Filmor J. Murillo, External Vice President of BALLT. His talk emphasized the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in globalized education systems, with a specific focus on the impact of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in enhancing intercultural competencies in higher education.
A special presentation from Partido State University researchers Ms. Yumi Vivien V. de Luna and Dr. Christina Lim offered insights from a rapid assessment study on the implementation of blended learning in selected higher education institutions (HEIs) in Camarines Sur, contributing to current discourses on digital pedagogy and educational resilience post-pandemic.
The forum concluded with a closing ceremony featuring the announcement of the Best Paper and Best Presenter awards across both in-service and pre-service teacher categories. Winners received monetary prizes and certificates of distinction in recognition of their academic contribution. The CBSUA Indayog Dance Company also performed a cultural number highlighting regional artistry.
Closing remarks were delivered by CBSUA-Pili Campus Administrator Dr. Allan B. Del Rosario, while Assoc. Prof. Karen B. Perez, Chairperson of the Elementary Education Program, expressed final words of gratitude on behalf of the organizing committee.
As a culminating academic engagement, the forum fostered not only intellectual exchange but also institutional partnerships and professional development. It reaffirmed CBSUA’s strategic commitment to educational innovation, internationalization, and community engagement. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘔𝘳𝘴. 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘈𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘰-𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘦, 𝘊𝘋𝘌 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘺
