SLSU Researchers Shine at iPOVCON2025, Bag Best Paper Award

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) has once again made its mark in the academic and research community, bagging the Best Paper Award during the 6th International and 9th National Conference on Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development (iPOVCON2025), held on October 8–9, 2025, at Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), Naval, Biliran.

With the theme “Technology-Driven Solutions for Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Sustainability,” the event was hosted by Samar State University (SSU) and chaired by Engr. Mirador G. Labrador, Vice President for Research and Extension Services at SSU and Chair of the iPOVCON 2025 Organizing Committee. The two-day gathering brought together researchers, educators, and advocates from various academic institutions to exchange knowledge and propose actionable strategies for sustainable and inclusive development.

The winning research, “From Production to Sustainability: A Bibliometric Assessment of Aquaculture in the Philippines, 2013–2023”, was presented by Mr. Stephen V. Naul, Research Assistant at SLSU Main Campus, together with its lead author Engr. Khorina O. Aguilar and co-authors Jonelle H. Tablada, John Kenneth Amolata, James Vernie Mainit, Lavelle Compendio, John Don Opina, Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno III, Jerico Bautista Ogaya, Kenneth Karl Briones, and Junjun Galgao Tahil. Representing SLSU–Main Campus was Mr. Stephen V. Naul, SLSU Research Assistant.

The research underscores how aquaculture innovation and scientific collaboration can promote sustainability, ensuring food security while addressing both local and global challenges in responsible fisheries development. The study earned the Best Paper Award under Sub-track 2B: Sustainability, Governance, and Food Security, one of the key segments of the conference alongside tracks on Emerging Technologies for Health and Education Equity, Innovations in Agriculture and Food Security, and Digital Transformation and Community Resilience.

Also representing SLSU–Tomas Oppus Campus were Mr. Efren I. Balaba, who presented “Harmony Focus: A Music-Infused Learning Platform for Enhanced Concentration and Retention in Academic Studies,” and Mr. Felanie Docena, who presented “Development and Evaluation of a Sensor-Based Hog Feeder System for Backyard Hog Raisers.”

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this achievement contributes directly to: SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; and SDG 14: Life Below Water.

This proud moment for SLSU underscores its mission of producing relevant, transformative, and sustainable research that not only uplifts local communities but also contributes to global solutions for poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable development.

Congratulations to our brilliant researchers! Your passion and hard work continue to inspire the SLSU community and beyond.