UPLB College of Public Affairs and Development

31/05/2026

🔴 NOW LIVE 🔴

Catch Conference Chair, Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan, as she joins DZRH News to share insights about the recently concluded 2nd Science and Technology Impact Assessment Conference!

31/05/2026

🔴 Going LIVE in a few minutes!

Catch Conference Chair, Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan, as she joins DZRH News to share insights about the recently concluded 2nd Science and Technology Impact Assessment Conference! 📺▶️

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KCe2dTaFM/

31/05/2026

We often remind graduate students:

Do not plan your PhD forward. Plan it backward.

Starting in the First Semester of AY 2026-2027, all new and shiftee PhD students must fulfill the publication requirement as part of the requirements for graduation. Hence, students need to account for coursework, qualifying and comprehensive examinations, proposal development, ethics review, data collection, analysis, manuscript writing, peer and external reviews, revisions, and unconditional acceptance of a journal article. All of these can take longer than expected.

A common misconception is that the first publication is the entire dissertation. It is not. The first paper is usually just one publishable component of a much larger body of work. While waiting for reviewers and editors, students should continue writing and completing the rest of their dissertation.

TIPS:

➡️ Start writing earlier than you think.
➡️ Do not wait until Year 3 to submit a paper.
➡️ Secure ethics approval before collecting data.
➡️ Submit the first paper at least one year before your intended graduation date.
➡️ Build buffers for ethics review, reviewer delays, and unexpected setbacks.
➡️ Progress on multiple parts of the dissertation in parallel.
➡️ Consult your advisory committee regularly and proactively. Do not wait until problems arise. Maximize their expertise, perspectives, and professional networks to strengthen your research and academic development.

We know this is challenging, but having a plan is better than having none. Progress is rarely accidental. Effective graduate study requires intentional planning and regular reassessment of goals and timelines.

Plan backward. Start early. Stay consistent.

29/05/2026

| Big congrats to the CPAf IACon team for organizing an impactful conference, bringing key actors together for STI that matters. ✨

Behind the success of the event was the late-night preparations and setting up the exhibit, program dry-runs with multiple script revisions, coordination with partners and attending to participant needs -- the CPAf team led by the conference convenor Dr. Aileen Lapitan program chair Dr. Maria Luz Malabayabas, worked together to bring to life.

Here’s a glimpse of the people and moments behind the conference. Many thanks to everyone who helped make possible! 💙

As what Dean Rhea Gumasing said, "The conference may be closed, but the work continues."

We are just getting started! Stay connected and follow us on S&T Impact Assessment Conference!

29/05/2026

Cleaner and Greener CPAf! 🌱♻️

CPAf, with the support of the UPLB Environmental Committee, conducted an in-house seminar on proper compost pit preparation and management last May 26, 2026.

Engr. Paulo Altoveros of the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs reoriented the staff on the university’s Waste-At-Source Segregation (WASS) guidelines, while Prof. Emeritus Virginia C. Cuevas shared insights on composting food waste and other biodegradable materials.

The activity included an open forum, workshop, and a visit to the proposed compost pit area at CPAf. 🌿

28/05/2026

CISC invites everyone to join our upcoming seminar on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Localization on 4 June 2026. This activity is part of the project, “CISC Smart Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC): Localizing the SDGs through Strengthened Local Governance in Laguna, Philippines.”

We are glad to welcome Dr. Nuttavikhom (Kay) Phanthuwongpakdee of Thammasat University, Thailand and Program Coordinator of EPIC-N Asia, who will share insights on SDG localization and facilitate discussions with LGUs and stakeholders.

See you there as we learn, exchange ideas, and work together toward sustainable local development. 🌱

Register here: bit.ly/CISC-SDG2

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

Hey, IACon's! The wait is over! The official Same-Day Edit is finally here 📸✨

Thanks to the delegates, presenters, speakers for your energetic participation and your commitment to integrating IA in STI for Development!

26/05/2026

"Impact assessment is fundamentally about governance."💡

As we gear up for Day 2 of , here’s a key insight from yesterday’s keynote speech by USEC Leah J. Buendia. What were your own takeaways from the keynote session? 👀

26/05/2026

Full house at 🤙 📷 Bringing together important actors for impact assessment in STI since 2023 -- and we are just getting started! ✨

See you all again for Day 2!