Presenting their university-funded studies, Catanduanes State University – College of Education faculty-researchers Dr. Maria Edna R. Iñigo and Dr. Jose Z. Tria, along with Dr. John F. Villegas of the College of Health Sciences, were hailed as Best Oral Presentation winners in their respective categories at the International Interdisciplinary Research and Development Conference in Social Sciences (IIRDCSS), held from April 6 to 10, 2026, at the Crown Legacy Hotel in Baguio City.

Dr. Iñigo presented her study, “Strengthening Inclusive and Sustainable Higher Education Through Hybrid Faculty Mentorship: An Exploration via Kram’s Theory” that earned 1st Place in Best Oral Presentation and 3rd Place in Best Poster Presentation under Education and Life-long learning category.

Meanwhile, Dr. Villegas delivered his research, “Health Struggles of the Abacaleros in the Island Province of Catanduanes, Philippines,” under Social Sciences and Public Health category that earned 1st Place in Best Oral Presentation and 2nd Place in Best Poster Presentation. 

Completing the trio’s success, Dr. Tria, who is also currently CatSU's director of Research and Development Services, took the spotlight under Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems and Emerging Technologies category with his timely study, “Exploring the Use of the Large Language Model (LLM-ChatGPT) in Higher Education: Building Models on Responsible and Ethical Use,” a work that not only secured 1st Place in Best Oral Presentation but also sparked strong interest among panelists, particularly on how CatSU is responding at the policy level to the growing relevance of ethical AI integration in higher education.

With the theme ‘Interdisciplinary Synergies for the SDGs: Advancing Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Societies,’ the IIRDCSS 2026 is an academic event focused on advancing sustainable development through interdisciplinary research, and was organized by the Tarlac Agricultural University  - College of Arts and Sciences in the Philippines.