Research and innovation indeed live in the heart of Rizal Technological University (RTU) as its Research, Development, and Innovation Office (RDIO) launches the university’s first-ever solo-hosted international research conference for students on May 4, 2026. Titled “Panday Kabatiran 2026: 1st International Student Research Conference”, the event lasted until May 5. It facilitated 30 parallel sessions, with participants from 120 local and international institutions presenting more than 300 research papers across multiple disciplines, clustered into seven research tracks.

The conference was a collaboration between the RDIO and Linghayan Productions, an RTU student-led organization composed of Rizalianos from the Marketing Management Department. The event, held onsite at RTU Mandaluyong Campus and virtually via Zoom, was a resounding success, thanks to other administrative offices and the faculty volunteers who served as moderators and facilitators during the parallel sessions.

Anchored on the theme, “Student Research at the Forefront of Sustainable, Inclusive, and Innovation-driven Development,” the conference gathered participants from 88 local institutions and 20 international schools. The event received more than 400 abstract submissions from local and international researchers, highlighting its strong global reach and academic engagement.

The conference formally opened with remarks from Dr. Magno M. Quendangan, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, followed by an inspirational message from University President Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco, emphasizing the vital role of student research in driving innovation and societal transformation.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Andres Philip Mayol, Associate Professor from De La Salle University, who highlighted the importance of empowering student research for sustainable and inclusive societal transformation.

The first day also included plenary sessions, during which Dr. Andini Risfandini from Universitas Merdeka Malang, Indonesia, delivered a talk on transforming student research into knowledge that solves real-world problems, urging participants to build their studies around issues in their communities and society.

Her discussion was followed by Dr. Ranadheer Mandadi from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, who discussed research excellence in the age of AI and digital innovation, highlighting that technological advancements in the field of education are not an enemy of learning but a tool that can be maximized even in carrying out scientific inquiries and studies.

Day 2 of the conference featured more parallel and plenary sessions, where Dr. Gina A. Opiniano of the Philippine Commission on Women discussed inclusive research, emphasizing the roles and significance of gender sensitivity, cultural inclusivity, and social equity in research-driven social development. She urged the researchers to be considerate of their participants and the marginalized sectors in doing research, highlighting that gender-related and inclusivity concerns must be key considerations in the conduct of research.

Closing the roster of plenary speakers, Dr. Vikas Kumar from the Central University of Haryana, India, shared best practices for publishing student research papers, emphasizing that publication allows the true value of research and its impact to be shared with the global community. He also discussed the pathways by which student research papers can gain global academic visibility through distinguished, legitimate journal publications.

As the conference concluded, Panday Kabatiran 2026 recognized the researchers who demonstrated academic excellence and scholarly rigor during the plenary sessions, awarding 30 presenters the Best Paper Presentation award, four of whom are from RTU. Seven papers from each research track were also recognized with the Best Paper Award.

The conference concluded with closing messages from Asst. Prof. Nida Alcantara and Laurence Lapinid, Chair of Linghayan Production, acknowledge the collective efforts of organizers, partners, and participants in the successful conduct of the event.

As an inaugural event, Panday Kabatiran 2026—which can be translated as forger of shared knowledge—reaffirmed Pandayang Rizalia’s unwavering commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through research-driven initiatives that serve as catalysts for sustainability, inclusivity, and global academic collaboration.