3RD LCUP-GE&RA INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE LAUNCHES A CALL TO FOSTER RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: AMID THE RISE OF AI
July 28-30, 2023
For the third time, researchers, academicians, and educators from different regions and disciplines gathered at the LCUP-GE&RA International Research Conference that was jointly hosted by the La Consolacion University Philippines (LCUP) and Globus Education and Research Association (GE&RA) on July 28-30, 2023 via Facebook, YouTube live broadcast, and Google Meet.
Anchored on the theme "Strengthening Research Integrity in the Global Landscape through Trends and Innovations in the 21st Century," the conference aimed to give research enthusiasts all around the world the opportunities to present their respective scholarly works, to provide an avenue that cultivates discursive spaces on the current trends and upcoming innovations situated within the global academic landscape, and to foster research and academic integrity amid the pressing issues of academic dishonesty and plagiarism involving the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Dr. Mark Rey C. Santos, Vice President for Research, Publications, and Linkages (RPL), the potential exchange of knowledge, ideas, expertise, and experience on how academic institutions around the world ensure that academic integrity is maintained on the emergence of AI and how it bridges the gaps between education and technology fueled the concept of the three-day conference.
Dr. Santos officially opened the conference, followed by the Welcome Messages from Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, University President, and Dr. Puneet Kumar Agarwal, President and Chairman of GE&RA. Dr. Nidhi Agarwal, General Secretary of GE&RA, presented the Conference Rationale. The program was steered by the conference host, Ms. Mariefe B. Cruz, LCUP Research Officer.
The highlights of the conference included the Keynote Address of the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Lonell R. Childred, an Information Technology Consultant and affiliate of the University of Cincinnati, Harvard University Business Analytics Program, Harvard Business School, Harvard School of Engineering, and Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Childred discussed the different forms, roles, and limitations of AI in Education, AI in the Creative Industry, and the ChatGPT. He also stressed that despite AI's immense valuable support, significant issues such as data privacy, accountability, ethical considerations, and replacement of human interaction are encountered in the academe. The open forum afterward raised many questions, especially on how this massive innovation can be utilized appropriately for academic integrity.
A Country Panel Discussion was facilitated by Dr. Santos and Ms. Cruz on the first day, featuring guest speakers from all around the world, namely: Dr. Nidhi Agarwal, Professor at the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Lincoln University, Malaysia, Dr. Vijay Pratap Tiwari, Professor of Law at Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, India, Dr. Kindye Essa Mustofa, Dean of the College of Business and Economics, Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia, and Dr. Paolo Bolaños, Full Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Letters and Program Lead, Philosophy Program, UST Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
On the second day of the conference, another Panel Discussion was facilitated in the presence of speakers, namely, Dr. Mark Rey C. Santos, LCUP VP-PRL and Professor of Research Methods and Statistics, Dr. Maximo Muldong, Professor of Advanced Research and Advanced Statistics, and Dr. Eliza Cruz, Full-time Associate Professor of the Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences of San Beda University, Manila. Dr. Enrico F. Rosales, the LCUP Vice President for Graduate Studies, awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the Speakers.
Eight diversified sub-themes were featured under eight parallel sessions, where a total of seventy-one (71) research and scholarly works were presented. One overall Best Paper and the Best Presenter/s per sub-theme were given recognition during the Awarding Ceremony led by Sr. Niceta on the second day of the conference.
The 3rd LCUP-GE&RA International Research Conference materialized under the collaborative efforts of an Organizing Committee from different offices in the University, including the OVP-RPIA, Office of the Vice President for Graduate Studies, Marketing and Promotions Office, Management Information System, Office of the VP for Finance and Administrative Services, and University Building Maintenance Services.
