Researchers from Southeast Asia Convene to Exchange Important Studies for Social Change

The Ninth International Scholars' Conference (9ISC) was held on the campus of the Asia-Pacific International University (AIU), Thailand, from October 25 to 26, 2022. The 9ISC's theme, "Impactful Investigations: Advancing Research for Social Change," brought together almost 200 academics from Adventist and other universities in Southeast Asia to present papers in a variety of subject areas.

An annual research meeting is put on by four Adventist universities called the ISC. They include the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP), Universitas Klabat (UNKLAB) from Indonesia, and Universitas Advent Indonesia (UNAI), as well as the event's host, AIU.

The guests were greeted in the customary Thai manner by AIU President Damrong Sattayawaksakul and Vice President for Academic Administration (VPAA) Kamolnan Taweeyanyongkul. President of the Southeastern Asia Union Mission (SEUM), Somchai Chuenjit, then officially opened the 9ISC by striking a gong and reciting a prayer.

There were four keynote speakers during the conference. Oxidative Stress is Decreased in Neonates Treated with Kangaroo Mother Care, a ground-breaking study by Dorothy E. Forde, Associate Professor and Chair of Nursing at Oakwood University, is one of them. Her paper's main argument was that preterm infants should not be separated from their mothers after birth and should instead be placed back in skin-to-skin contact to decrease oxidative stress.

Following that, Siroj Sorajjakool of Loma Linda University (LLU) discussed how discourse analysis might influence social thinking perspectives. He added, "If you have authority over food production, you are a free person.”The students in attendance had that to think about.

The second-day presentations were given by associate professor Ryan G. Sinclair of LLU and Susan Chand of the University of Southern Caribbean (USC). Chand presented a topic on "Impacting Communities through Indigenous Research," and Sinclair presented a topic on the "Use of the Community Science Framework to Address Climate Change Challenges: A Case Study at the Salton Sea in the Eastern Coachella Valley, California, USA." Both speakers emphasized the value of localizing research to improve communities.

In addition to the keynote speakers, AUP president Arceli Rosario and UNKLAB president Danny Rantung gave motivational speeches to the attendees.
After two days of research presentations in several lecture halls, there was an engaging panel discussion presided over by Amanda Simon, associate research director at AIU. 

More than 120 papers from the allied health, business, education, science, society, culture & arts, technology, and theology sectors were presented during the conference, according to Wanlee Putsom, director of research at AIU, and Bayu Kaumpungan, research office assistant. "Our conference has ended, but the presentations we have seen and heard have inspired and enlightened us. With a renewed commitment to conducting insightful investigations that can spur societal change, we anticipate returning to our location," Putsom stated.

Alfredo Agustin, Youssry Guirguiss, and Franklin Hutabarat, three AIU faculty members, delivered inspiring devotional talks during the course of the two-day conference, which inspired and uplifted the attendees. The attendees were also treated to a cultural night showcasing various Asian traditional forms. The AIU Chorale, under the direction of Dr. & Mrs. Aylwin Yonathan, blessed everyone with their lovely vocals.

The 9ISC came to a close with an offer from Jolly S. Balila, the AUP's research director, to all attendees to attend the 10ISC, which will be hosted at AUP the following year.

Joy Kuttappan, Asia-Pacific International University