Isabela State University (ISU) conducted its 2025 Research and Development, Extension and Training Agency In-House Review (AIHR) on October 17, 2025 at the Climate Change R&D Support Facility Building. The said activity was organized by the Office of the University Research and Development and the Office of the University Extension and Training.
This year’s AIHR evaluated and presented accomplishments in research and extension and to strengthen the connection between science and community engagement, embodying ISU’s commitment to translating knowledge into tangible development outcomes.
A total of 48 research papers were presented during the review, representing the major clusters of Social Science, Higher Education, Technical, and Technological with 12 studies each. Meanwhile, a total of 19 extension papers were reviewed, 12 and 7 for internally funded and externally funded projects, respectively.
The R&D component of the review focused on evaluating the scientific soundness, relevance, and potential of studies, while the Extension and Training component emphasized how initiatives and innovations are being transformed into sustainable, community-based programs that address local and regional needs.
Through this integrated approach, the AIHR continued to serve as a platform for innovation and public service, promoting collaboration across disciplines and campuses while avoiding duplication of efforts and resources.
Delivering an inspirational message during the opening program, Dr. Orlando F. Balderama (Vice President for Research and Development, Extension and Training), accentuated ISU’s significant contribution to regional research output – accounting for 60% of Scopus-indexed publications in Region 2. He further emphasized that the true value of research lies in its application and impact, stating, “Not until your paper is adapted, your findings do not matter. It should be published, and the world deserves to know.”
In addition, Dr. Boyet L. Batang (University President), also urged participants to collaborate and innovate, emphasizing that research and extension should serve communities rather than personal interests. “This review should not be the end,” he said, “but a catalyst for recalibration, collaboration, and continuous planning.” He reminded everyone that true excellence lies in transforming knowledge into action.
One of the key highlights of this year’s AIHR was the soft launching of the ISU ExPRESS (ISU Extensionists’ Paperless Review, Evaluation, and Submission System), a digital platform designed to streamline the review and evaluation of extension project proposals and reports.
Developed under the leadership of the Office of the University Extension and Training, ISU ExPRESS is part of the University’s goal toward digital innovation and sustainability, allowing a more efficient, transparent, and eco-friendly workflow for extensionists.
As part of the event and for the acknowledgement of participating University faculty and staff, the top three (3) winners from each research and extension cluster were recognized. The full list of winners are as follows:
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Technical Category
- 1st Place: Cauayan Cluster (Formulation Optimization of Cauayan Ready-to-Drink Juices from Culled Cucurbits: A Circular Economy Approach for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Nutrition)
- 2nd Place: Echague Cluster (Conservation, Promotion, and Utilization of Underutilized Indigenous Vegetables as Sustainable Food Sources and Plant Nutraceuticals)
- 3rd Place: Echague Cluster (Biological Analysis of Marine Algicolous Fungal Endophytes for Sustainable Agriculture)
- Technological Category
- 1st Place: Cauayan Cluster (Energy Forecasting of Distribution Facility Using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Networks)
- 2nd Place: Cabagan Cluster (Low-Cost, High-Impact: Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of Circuit Trainer for Sustainable Engineering Education)
- 3rd Place: Echague Cluster (PORCI: A Geographic Mapping and GIS-Based System for Profiling, Outbreak, Risk, and Control of Infectious African Swine Fever)
- Social Category
- 1st Place: Ilagan Cluster (Implementation of Smoke-Free Environment and Tobacco Control Policy Among LGUs of Tobacco Farming Areas in Isabela: Input for Policy Enhancement)
- 2nd Place: Cabagan Cluster (Exploring The Experiences Of The Stakeholders In The Academe)
- 3rd Place: Echague Cluster (Stress and Coping Mechanisms Encountered by Military Personnel)
- Higher Education Research Category
- 1st Place: Cabagan Cluster (OptiTeach: Enhancing Physics Learning Through the Lens of Students, Teachers, and Experts)
- 2nd Place: Cauayan Cluster (Institutional Framework on Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Teaching, Learning, and Research)
- 3rd Place: Cauayan Cluster (Modeling Research Data Analytic Competence in STEAM Education)
EXTENSION AND TRAINING
- Internally Funded
- 1st Place: Ilagan Cluster (Project eCARES: A Digital Support for Postpartum Mothers)
- 2nd Place: Cabagan Cluster (BUILD: Barangay Upliftment and Integrated Local Development through Technological Innovations)
- 3rd Place: Cabagan Cluster (Power Up Isabela 2.0: 3 in 1 Training-Workshop on Solar PV System, Security, and Electrical Wiring)
- Externally Funded
- 1st Place: Cabagan Cluster (Kawayanihan Para Sa Kaligtasan, Kapaligiran at Kabuhayan Ni Juan (4Ks))
- 2nd Place: Echague Cluster (PROJECT LETRA: Literacy Enhancement through Teacher-Training and Reading Development Approaches)
- 3rd Place: Ilagan Cluster (Project EE-BEST in BWI: Electrical Engineering Building Expertise through Specialized Training in Building Wiring Installation (Batch 11))
Through the 2025 AIHR, ISU pursues its vision to be a center of research excellence and community transformation. The integration of initiatives like ISU ExPRESS reflects the University’s forward-looking vision to leverage digital innovation to advance both scientific discovery and meaningful public service.
