The 8th JAAP International Research and Development Conference (IRDC) officially kicked off its first day on June 18, 2026. Hosted at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Main Campus 2, the event gathered distinguished local and international scientists, educators, and research leaders.

The first day featured a packed agenda focusing on cross-border scientific collaboration, agricultural innovations, and systemic institutional reforms. JAAP President Dr. Karl Marx A. Quiazon and NORSU University President Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi formally welcomed the international delegates. Inspirational messages were delivered by Dir. Shigehiro Matsuda (Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines) and Dr. Yoshio Otani (Director of JSPS Bangkok). Dr. Leah Buendia, the Undersecretary for Research and Development (R&D) at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), delivered the keynote address, framing the significance of research development in regional sustainability.

The lectures for Day 1 tackled cutting-edge biological and environmental engineering breakthroughs, internationalization, advanced farming methodologies, policy critiques, and livestock technologies:

Lecture 1: The Science and Engineering of Composting — Efforts to Promote the Adoption of Composting Treatment: Presented by Dr. Kiyohiko Nakasaki, Professor Emeritus at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Director of the Institute of Plankton Eco-engineering at Soka University.

Lecture 2: Advanced Pathogen Genomics and Simplified Diagnostics for White Spot Syndrome Virus in Shrimp Aquaculture: Presented by Dr. Keiichiro Koiwai, Assistant Professor at the Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology, focusing on addressing prominent disease threats in aquaculture. Lecture 3: Internationalizing the Higher Education Curriculum through Virtual Mobility: Reflections on Completed and Ongoing COIL Projects delivered by Dr. Craig N. Refugio, Professor VI and Director of the Office of the University International Relations at NORSU.

Lecture 4: Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): A Practical Solution for Reducing Methane Emissions and Improving Water Productivity in Rice Systems: Led by Dr. Kristine Samoy-Pascual, Senior Science Research Specialist from the Philippine Rice Research Institute, focusing on water-saving rice cultivation methods.

Lecture 5: Unravelling the Science behind Farmer Knowledge in Pest Management: Chemical Ecology delivered by Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang, a Retired Career Scientist and Agricultural Chemistry Researcher from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

Lecture 6: When Metrics Outlast Missions: Institutional Decoupling that Trapped the Philippine Scientific Career System in the 80s, a critical institutional critique presented by Dr. Custer C. Deocaris, MIB, Scientist I and Senior Research Specialist at DOST-PNRI.

Lecture 7: Unlocking the Potential of Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) in Water Buffaloes, an international perspective shared by Dr. Ronald Nuwasasira from Bugema University, Uganda, East Africa.

Following interactive discussions after each lecture and a cultural performance, the first day of the conference concluded with closing remarks delivered by Dr. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano, Graduate School Faculty, University of Sto. Tomas. The event successfully served as a bridge linking Philippine researchers with global counterparts to foster innovative solutions for real-world issues.