In a landmark move to fortify its commitment to academic excellence and societal impact, EVSU conducted a Research Centers (RIE) Proposal Hearing and In-House Review on March 12, 2026, at the ORDEXS Training Room. The event marks a significant milestone in the university’s history, serving as a dedicated platform to monitor, showcase, and harmonize the deliverables of the university’s specialized research centers across the entire EVSU system.
The activity was rooted in the university’s four-fold mandate: instruction, research, extension, and production. While academic instruction often takes the spotlight, this initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Vice-President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, ensures that the latter three pillars are given equal priority. According to Director for Research, Bernard Niño Q. Membrebe, MDM, these research centers serve as the “frontlines” of the university’s mission.
“We established these centers to keep updated on their deliverables and to see their significant contributions. This is a matter of monitoring and looking into the gaps to identify any concerns that might hinder them from delivering their targets,” Director Membrebe said, emphasizing that the event is vital for maintaining institutional productivity.
The program featured a rigorous presentation of 18 scholarly papers, thoroughly categorized into the three core components of the RIE office. The morning session focused on six research proposals, showcasing the future path of the university’s investigative efforts. These included technical profiling of climate-resilient rice dryers by Elijah D. Buzon (MEIC), ecosystem assessments of fiber value chains in Burauen by Ma. Stefanie I. Caintic (NTFIH), and literature reviews on vulnerable coastal communities by James R. Pedrera (CSR). The diversity of topics ranging from statistical literacy to digital transformation and ESG performance highlighted the university’s multi-disciplinary approach to solving regional issues.
As the day progressed, the focus shifted to tangible results. The afternoon session highlighted five completed research papers, featuring studies on teacher self-efficacy in AI integration by Rafael I. Baynosa and financial management practices in EVSU-Ormoc by Mary Ann B. Osores. Innovation remained a high priority with four innovation papers, including the development of sugar-free chocolate cookies by Joanah R. Benitez and a circular textile project for sustainable footwear. The event concluded with three extension programs, such as the “Coco VALUE” project by Wenna Jo M. Mabansag, which aims to upgrade local enterprises through technology and design.
The event was not limited to the Main Campus for it represented a unified front for the entire EVSU system, featuring presenters from the Burauen and Ormoc campuses. The presentations were examined by a distinguished panel of evaluators, including Engr. Arjane L. Magalona and Engr. Roxcella T. Reas, ensuring that every project adheres to the highest standards of quality and relevance.
By creating this centralized review process, EVSU is not only tracking the progress of its various centers such as the Center for Social Research (CSR), Metals and Engineering Innovation Center (MEIC), and the Center for Climate-Smart Innovations (CCI) but is also fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. This first ever In-House Review stands as a testament to EVSU’s vision of building globally competitive professionals while remaining deeply rooted in service to the Eastern Visayas region.
This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 09: Industry, Innovation, Technology, and Infrastructure
via Emarie Macato | UMDC
