The Aurora State College of Technology through the initiatives of Forester Maria Cristina B. Canada, Director, Research and Development Services Office (RDSO) and staff conducted the Annual In- House Review of Research and Development Project Proposals last July 2, 2020 amidst the pandemic. This is the first time that the College conducted this activity via ZOOM to avoid mass gathering and maintain physical distancing.

This year’s In-House Review showcased eight proposals for social research category and nine proposals for the experimental research category.

All the proposal write-ups and presentations were evaluated by experts from ASCOT Research Ethics and Technical Committees, DepEd- Aurora and Philippine Rice Research Institute.

For the social research category, the panel of evaluators were composed of Forester RB J. Gallego, Chairman of the College Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Cris Dan Barcelo, Peer Reviewer of International Research Journal for Educational Leadership and Management, and Dr. Erleo T. Villaros, Chief Education Supervisor of DepEd Aurora.

On the other hand, For. RB J. Gallego, Dr. Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr., College President and Chairman of College Research Technical Committee, and Dr. Roel S. Suralta, Scientist II and the Director of DA- Crop Biotechnology Center, PhilRice were the evaluators for the experimental research proposals.
Dr. Jay M. Amon topped the social research category with his proposal entitled “Parents’ Involvement in Distance Learning Amidst COVID-19 among Indigenous Students in the Coastal Areas of Aurora”. Maribelle A. Soriano on the other hand got the 1st place on the experimental category with her proposal entitled “Development of Edible Fern Technology Through Production and Post-Harvest Practices in Aurora Province”. Maria Cristina B. Cañada bagged 2nd place for both the social and experimental categories with her proposals “Gender Sensitive Utilization and Management of Mangrove Forest in Barangay Esteves, Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines” and “Growth and Yield Responses of Tissue-Cultured Lakatan (Musa acuminata AA Group) to Inorganic and Mykovam Application”. Dolores Salvacion F. Tolentino with her proposal “Career Development and Employability of ASCOT Graduates: A Tracer Study” got 3rd place for social category while Gerryc P. Alfonso settled for 3rd place in the experimental category with his proposal “Blue Carbon Stock and Species Diversity Assessment of Mangroves in Aurora Province, Philippines”.

For the proposals to be funded by the RDSO, these must have passed final evaluation by the College Research Ethics and Technical Committees. Other proposals with high budgetary requirement will be endorsed to external funding agencies.