CASS Holds Research Colloquium, Joins Institute in Research Week 2024

by John Vincent Balustre

In line with the university's week-long activities aimed at advancing its culture of research and innovation, the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) extended the platform to its undergraduate and graduate students through a research colloquium, held on March 5, 2024, at the institute Mini-Theater and broadcasted via satellite viewing at the CASS New Building Lobby. 

Unlike the usual presentation of studies where a panel of experts fronts the questioning, the research colloquium allowed the student audience to directly engage with the proponents.

Setting the tone of the program was CASS Dean Dr. Marie Joy D. Banawa. In her speech, she emphasized the institute’s vision that sets forth the purpose and direction of the future, while imploring collaboration among students and faculty to materialize these aspirations. She also stressed the importance of research that leans on the people, a pursuit scholars of humanities do.

"Nothing has such a power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically, and truly, that all comes under the observation of life," Dr. Banawa said.

Presenters from the seven departments of CASS convene with the Department of English graduate student Ada S. Baraguer’s “Pinoy-Made Nutricosmetics E-Advertisements: A Critical Discourse Analysis” took center stage first. This was followed by the Departamento ng Filipino at Ibang mga Wika (DFIW) with Sara Lin A. Robenta’s “Translanguaging: Kalagayang Pangwika sa Multilinggwal na Klasrum ng Kolehiyo ng Initao, Misamis Oriental”; Department of History with Joshua Philip D. Castillo’s “Acceptability of Non-Muslim Teachers Teaching the History of Filipino Muslims and the Indigenous Peoples of MINSUPALA among Muslim Meranaw Students”; Department of Philosophy and Humanities with Jhon Lloyd T. Pioquinto’s “An Analysis on Toumela’s Collective Intentionality in the Case of Dayong as a Basis for a Framework of a Shared We-Mode Group Morals”; and Department of Political Science with Mary Christine V. Gimena and Anne Marie L. Malinao’s “Redefining Youth-Led Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Media in Enhancing Public Value in Times of Crisis in Misamis Occidental, Philippines”. 

On the other hand, the Department of Psychology includes two studies from BS Psychology students with Antequisa, Araño, Cabugatan, Lorenzo, and Tan’s “Gamified Learning vs. Game-based Learning: Effects of Non-traditional Learning Strategies on Test Performance”; and BA Psychology students with Simonne Tsidkenu Madlos, Airlene Grace Lagas, Edelmae Leopardas, Mary Jane Rejas’ “Impact on Financial Well-Being on Academic Motivation among College Students at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)”. Lastly, the Department of Sociology concluded the list of presenters with Mycah Charish C. Alderite, Muamar I. Samsodin, and Jasmin Sonugan’s “Women's Roles and Cultural Norms in Rebucon Fishing Community - The Pamana Intervention”. 

The open forum was set after the first batch of five presenters had presented their study and resumed until the remaining three.

Wrapping up the program, Dr. Enrique B. Batara, the Chairperson of the CASS Research Committee, addressed the students, faculty, staff, and the institute with gratitude for making the “historic” event possible. He also expressed hopes for more research engagements as the conduct of Research Week will be done annually from now on.

Moreover, Claire Almerol, a sophomore of BA Psychology shared how excited she was upon knowing that the colloquium is open for undergraduate students. “Also, from the standpoint of someone from a research-centric program, I would say nga this type of event really fueled my interest sa research,” Almerol stressed.

According to her, apart from her penchant for the field she is currently in, the colloquium expands her interests as well on “societal” and “sociocultural” fields— highlighting how it was an opportunity for exploration. “I hope that students would find the beauty of research kay it's really important and vital sa development sa community,” she added.

Photo by Farhana Borowa