With the objective of uplifting the research culture of the university and maintaining its excellence, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) conducted its first-ever Research Synergy at the JBL Hall last September 19, 2025.
With the theme, "Empowering Maritime Minds: Advancing Research Excellence through Innovation, Technology, and High-Impact Publication," research coordinators and teachers from the three units of the university huddled together and further enriched their knowledge with the technology trends in the field of research.
Three topics were discussed during the program: the Publication in High-Indexed Journals, presented by Dr. John Erwin P. Pedroso, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Education-Graduate School of West Visayas State University; proper use of artificial intelligence led by Engr. Sammy V. Militante, PCPE Director, Statistical and Knowledge MGMT Center of the University of Antique; and lastly, solving statistics using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), discussed by Dr. Eric M. Madera, Quality Assurance officer of JBLFMU-Arevalo.
The Research Synergy 2025 is an initiative by Dr. Roderick R. Germo, the current Unit Research Coordinator. He has christened this annual event to give it a new sense of identity.
"This training has consistently been assigned to JBLFMUโArevalo under the leadership of the former Research Coordinator, Dr. Sarinas, in line with the System Annual Operational Plan (AOP) and the institutional research agenda. Now, under my term as Research Coordinator of JBLFMUโArevalo, I took the initiative to give this undertaking a name that reflects its purpose and spirit โ thus, we now call it Synergy 2025,โ asserted by Dr. Germo.
On the other hand, Dr. Sarinas deeply emphasized the main objective of the event: to further develop the research culture of the university and to adopt what other universities do when it comes to research.
โWe have to capacitate the manpower of JBLFMU-A to the extent that we are trying to solve the problem of the institution, with the help of research. Also, we have to adapt with what other universities are doing so that we will be at par with their research culture. With this, we can uplift the research culture of the university and maintain its excellence, from the faculty and staff down to the students' level,โ said Dr. Sarinas.
The Research Synergy is an annual research forum with the purpose of enriching the knowledge and expertise of JBLFMU researchers about AI, SPSS, and indexing.
This event aligns with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs): Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG , and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9).
Story by Mdpn. John Kirk Shadi Magsael and Mdpn. Rayle Navigar
Photos by Mdpn. Lee Harvey Gumban