The College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) held its three-day student research writing bootcamp from August 13 to 15 at the CPAf Multi-Purpose Hall. Organized by the Institute for Governance and Rural Development (IGRD), the event is its seventh bootcamp focused on crafting scholarly success since it was first conducted in 2017.
“The CPAf Student Research Writing Bootcamp is intended to help our graduate students develop their field study, thesis, and dissertation proposals,” Dr. Evelie P. Serrano, who served as the training coordinator, said. According to Dr. Serrano, it is the seventh bootcamp since it was first conducted in 2017.
The bootcamp offered lecture discussions from expert resource persons as well as inspirational talks from UPLB alumni and past participants of CPAf student writing bootcamps.
The Bootcamp 7.0 Expert-led Sessions
On the first day of the Bootcamp, Dr. Daniel Renz M. Roc, UPLB Graduate School’s top graduate for Academic Year 2023-2024, graced the event with his talk on Appreciating Research Writing, followed by inspirational talks on Road to Sablay by CPAf Student Research Writing Bootcamp alumni, Dr. Ernesto D. Doloso, Jr. and Dr. Aiza Baguio-Sumpay. Afternoon sessions included topics on Strategic Research Writing by Dr. Shahid Abrar-ul-Hassan of Yorkville University, British Columbia Campus, Canada; Preventing Plagiarism by Dr. Francis Peddie of the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan; and Developing the Research Problem by Dr. Jaime A. Manalo IV of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
The following day consisted of a series of lectures from UPLB CPAf faculty and staff: Principles of Technical Writing by Dr. Serrano; Library Orientation by Ms. Rhea O. Sabrido; Writing the Review of Literature by Dr. Serrano; Developing the Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks by Dr. Rowena DT. Baconguis; and Conducting Development Studies Research: Lessons from the Field by Ms. Guinevere T. Madlangbayan. Dr. Mark Oliver S. Llangco, Chair of the UPLB Research Ethics Board, also delivered a lecture on Research Ethics.
Finally, another set of lectures on Quantitative Research in Social Sciences by Dr. Maria Luz L. Malabayabas; Introduction to Qualitative Research by Dr. Manalo; and Qualitative Research Analysis by Asst. Prof. Samantha Geraldine G. De los Santos was given on the last day. Dr. Malabayabas and Asst. Prof. De los Santos are both members of the CPAf teaching staff.
The Bootcamp 7.0Experience
The event provided a venue for participants to refine their research proposals and field studies by giving practical guidance and a critical motivation and boost in pursuing research. The well-structured presentations and the outstanding speakers gave valuable insights and tips which made the complex academic research more manageable for graduate students.
“The bootcamp made me realize that the draft of my research proposal needed a thorough reworking. I sincerely appreciate the event. All the topics provided useful information for my dissertation preparation,” Ms. Xenia Babera, a PhD in Development Studies student, said.
On the other hand, Ms. Bernadette L. Pangilinan, a Master in Development Management and Governance student, found the tips shared by the speakers useful and hence is thankful to the organizers and speakers. “I can apply what I have learned in my field,” she commented. Reflecting on her learnings, Ms. Pangilinan added, “There are no shortcuts in writing the field study, thesis, or dissertation. All of us must undergo each step until we reach our ‘Araw ng Sablay.’”
For Ms. Merlita Aurea Manguiat-Rodriguez, a Master in Public Affairs (major in Strategic Planning and Public Policy) student, said that the bootcamp exceeded her expectations–from the speakers to their respective topics. Sharing her key takeaway, she concluded, “Every writer experiences the same things when starting; and that every start is never a walk in the clouds, so never be afraid to start.”The CPAf Student Research Writing Bootcamp 7.0: Field Study, Thesis, and Dissertation Proposal Writing was made possible with the assistance of the CPAf Graduate Students’ Association, the CPAf Knowledge Management Office, and the IGRD-CPAf Teaching Fellows John Vincent Bucal, Maria Stella Noche, and Paula Blanca Alicante.
Maria Stella E. Noche
