University of the Immaculate Conception Professor Mary Jane Barluado won the only Best Poster Presentation for Quantitative Research during the International Research Fair for Graduate Education organized by the University of Mindanao Professional Schools on November 3-4, 2016.

Barluado aced the award criteria of research, relevance and impact, technical soundness, overall poster appearance oral presentation skills of presenter, and originality. She bested nearly 25 quantitative research presenters from different parts of the Philippines and Asia who vied. Barluado earned an Honours Degree in Biotechnology from Flinders University in Australia on a scholarship grant.

With co-authors Dr. Renan Limjuco and their research advisees Christine Decena, Clue Dongalo, Faten El Sharkawy, Sharon Melo, Ira Romine, Barluado’s winning study was titled Knowledge, attitude & interest on Biotechnology of high school students: Exploring the possibility of offering the degree in higher education. As postulated by a judge from Italy, Prof. Silvio Anzola, the promotion of the field of Biotechnology in the country must be pushed more in one way or another.

The conference was opportunely highlighted with plenary speeches on Best Research Practices from different countries by Dr. Sanihu Munir of Institute of Health Sciences, Bengkulu, Indonesia; Dr. Saket Jeswani of Skkim Manilapal University, Gangtok, India; and Prof. Silvio Anzola from University of Naples Federico II, Italy. The speakers formed part of the prestigious Panel of Judges for the poster presentations, together with Prof. Graham Murray from the University of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.

The qualitative research set that had nearly 25 contenders, was won by former UIC Planning & Development Director Dr. Ida Patron. The two winners received cash prizes and Certificates of Recognition.