SMU Joins CEAP’s Project RACE as Mentor Institution for Research Capacity-Building
The Research Committee of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines conducted a three-day workshop on January 20-22, 2026, at Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union. Dubbed Project RACE (Research, Action, Capacity-Building, and Empowerment), it aims to strengthen the research capabilities of member schools by fostering collaboration, mentoring, and sustained training engagements. It was a mentor-mentee capacity-building program in which five higher education institutions served as mentors to at least three institutions. Saint Mary’s University was tapped as a mentor HEI to capacitate other institutions until November 2026.
In his inspirational message, Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio, CEAP Executive Director, challenged participants to conduct research to address issues affecting their institution. The overview and orientation were done by Dr. Richard R. Jugar, CEAP Research Committee Chair. He mentioned that the outputs expected to be completed in November will be presented at the second international conference in February 2027, to be held in Cebu.
The mentees’ capacitation took place on the second and third days. Mentors assisted the mentee-participants in identifying a research topic, conceptualizing the problem, writing the research methodology, and elucidating ethical considerations. Equipped with their respective areas of expertise, Dr. Elsa Cajucom, Dr. Kenneth Maslang, and Dr. Christopher Allen Marquez capacitated ten researchers from four institutions in Region 2. The mentee-researchers are scheduled to present their completed research in November, requiring ongoing mentor-mentee collaboration from January through November. The Vizcaya-Mindanao leg of the capacity-building is yet to be determined.
This research capacitation aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 17, thereby reinforcing Saint Mary’s University’s commitment to excellence, innovation, communion, and social responsibility.
SDG 4
SDG 17
Written by:
Christopher Allen S. Marquez, CEIPSC Director
