Lemuel M. Sayao, PhD
Digos City, March 7, 2025 — Cor Jesu College successfully held its first-ever Future to Research 2025: International Research Conference for Young Researchers at the EdTech Hall, Main Campus. The event gathered over 100 senior high school participants from across the Davao Region and Sarangani Province, providing a platform for young researchers to present their work and engage in academic dialogue.
The conference aimed to strengthen students’ research skills, promote critical thinking and innovation, encourage collaboration, and broaden global perspectives through international insights.
Thirty-nine students presented across five research streams: Science and Technology, Education, Social Studies, Health, and Business. Outstanding works were recognized through awards for Best Oral Presenter, Best Presentation, and Best Abstract.
Three international speakers joined the conference virtually: Dr. Elmer-Rico Mojica (Pace University, USA) encouraged youth to use AI in addressing global challenges; Dr. Noor Adwa Sulaiman (Universiti Malaya, Malaysia) highlighted how research can transform ideas into market-ready solutions; and Dr. Mutia Husna Avezahra (Malang State University, Indonesia) discussed how qualitative research drives social change.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kirt Anthony Diaz, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Cor Jesu College, reminded the participants of the greater value of research: “The researcher remains the cornerstone of progress. But beyond academic pursuit, research carries a big responsibility—it shapes policies, fuels progress, uplifts societies, and changes lives. It is a powerful tool not only to understand the world but to change it for the better. To you, our young researchers, take pride in your work and remember that your contributions are part of a larger movement, a larger scheme of things.
Dr. Lemuel Sayao, Research and Publication Director of Cor Jesu College, also expressed pride in the success of the event. “It’s the first time that Cor Jesu College has hosted an international research conference specifically for senior high school students, and we’re very happy with how it turned out. The students showed a lot of potential, and it’s encouraging to see how passionate they are about research. This is just the beginning—we hope to hold more events like this in the future,” he shared.
With active on-site participation and virtual engagements through Google Meet, Future to Research 2025 successfully bridged local research efforts with global perspectives. The event demonstrated Cor Jesu College’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. Inspired by its success, the institution looks forward to organizing more inclusive research conferences that will cater to college and graduate students in the future.
