JBLCF-Bacolod, August 19–20, 2025
“When time is short, teamwork stretches possibilities; when pressure is high, peer mentoring lifts the weight; when research feels uncertain, collective thinking leads to breakthroughs.” These words captured the spirit of the 2025 In-House Research Capability Enhancement Training Workshop of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF)–Bacolod, held on August 19–20, 2025.
With the theme “Building Capacity for Innovative and Impactful Research,” the two-day activity brought together faculty members and aspiring researchers for intensive capacity building. The event tapped the institution’s powerhouse of resident experts and research mentors, who guided participants in aligning with the University’s Research Agenda, identifying relevant research problems in the maritime and business sectors, and crafting high-quality proposals that maximized time, talent, and resources for results that matter.
Research topics were anchored on global, national, and institutional priorities to ensure strategic and sustainable outcomes. These included the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), the National Higher Education Research Agenda (NHERA), the University’s Ten-Point Agenda and IMS Policies, and the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) Research Agenda. By aligning with these frameworks, JBLCF–Bacolod reinforced its commitment to producing research that not only contributes to academic advancement but also addresses pressing societal and industry needs.
Beyond technical training, the workshop also highlighted the power of collaboration. Day 1 focused on orientation and capacity-building sessions, while Day 2 challenged participants to consolidate their learning, refine their proposals, and present outputs in a culminating activity that resembled a “graduation.” Organizers emphasized that the event was as much about building a community of scholars as it was about developing individual research competencies.\
The Research and Development Center described the workshop as a vital step toward strengthening the institution’s research culture. By cultivating innovative and impactful research practices, JBLCF–Bacolod empowered its faculty and staff to generate knowledge and solutions that are relevant, credible, and transformative—anchored on both local realities and global standards.
As the 2025 In-House Research Capability Enhancement Training Workshop came to a close, participants carried with them more than sharpened skills and completed proposals—they left with a renewed sense of purpose as scholars and innovators. The two-day journey proved that when ideas are shared, challenges are faced together, and research is anchored on a collective vision, the results transcend individual achievement. It was not just a training, but a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and the boundless potential of research to create impact that matters for the institution, the industry, and society at large.
