Dr. Francis Ann Sy, VPRIPE features as Keynote Speaker in SINAROSA 2026 Int'l Webinar, Boosting SLSU's Global Extension Linkages
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) made a significant mark at the Siliwangi International Webinar on Community Service Activity (SINAROSA) 2026, held virtually on May 22–23, 2026. Organized by the Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (LPPM) of Universitas Siliwangi in Indonesia, the webinar brought together international experts to discuss strategies for “Building Smart and Resilient Communities: Interdisciplinary Innovations for Global Impact.” The event aimed to foster collaborative pathways for community development across national borders and highlight practical solutions for real-world challenges.
Representing the Philippines, Dr. Francis Ann Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services (RIES) at SLSU, delivered a keynote address on Day 1, sharing the university’s strategic approach to bridging research, innovation, and community empowerment. Her presentation, held from 2:15 PM to 2:55 PM Philippine Time, focused on how higher education institutions can design impactful, borderless extension pathways that strengthen the socio-economic resilience of local communities.
Central to Dr. Sy’s keynote was the IRIE Framework — Infrastructure, Research, Innovation, and Extension — which underpins SLSU’s programs and projects. She explained that Infrastructure provides a strong foundation through green campuses, smart classrooms, laboratories, and renewable energy systems that support learning and research. Research generates evidence-based insights to address climate, disaster preparedness, fisheries, agriculture, and education challenges, ensuring that solutions are informed by real data. Innovation transforms research into practical applications, including technologies, digital platforms, and commercializable tools that directly respond to community needs. Extension ensures that these solutions reach local communities through training programs, livelihood support, disaster response systems, and participatory development initiatives, creating tangible impact.
Dr. Sy also highlighted several local initiatives that illustrate SLSU’s approach in action. She presented Sogod Bay, which was recently spotlighted at the Paris Dive Show for its world-class coral reefs and marine biodiversity, as an example of local resources gaining international recognition. Other initiatives included mangrove conservation projects, sustainable aquaculture programs such as tilapia and bangus grow-out, and digital tools for disaster response, including eDROMIS and the Municipal Emergency Response System (MERS). These projects demonstrate how local solutions, guided by research and innovation, can have a meaningful and scalable impact.
The SINAROSA 2026 webinar featured an international roster of distinguished speakers, including Prof. Stella Christie, Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of Indonesia; Prof. Dr.rer.pol. Heri Kuswanto, Universitas Siliwangi; Prof. Dr. Akhtem A. Dzhelilov, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Russia; Dr. Blandina Manditereza, University of the Free State, South Africa; Dr. Rimajon Sotlitkova, New Uzbekistan University; Prof. Dr. Gül Erkol Bayram, Sinop University, Turkey; and Prof. Dr. Raj Kumar Singh, School of Management Science, India. Beyond keynote addresses, the conference featured parallel sessions where researchers and students presented innovations addressing modern challenges, including AI integration in classrooms, digital commerce training for MSMEs, mental health advocacy, and community-linked robotic rehabilitation for stroke survivors.
Through her participation, Dr. Sy showcased SLSU’s commitment to translating local knowledge and innovation into tangible, global-impact outcomes. The university’s programs illustrate how local communities can drive meaningful change, proving that initiatives rooted in Southern Leyte can inspire solutions that are relevant beyond local borders. By highlighting the IRIE Framework and real-world community projects, SLSU demonstrated that local action, when guided by knowledge, technology, and community engagement, can create sustainable, scalable, and internationally recognized impact.