First Researchers’ Congress draws administrators and educators from across IAD Adventist universities
Administrators and educators from across 10 Adventist universities in Inter-America pose for a picture during the first territory-wide Researchers’ Congress, held on campus of the Antillean Adventist University in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, May 19-20, 2015. Images courtesy of Antillean Adventist University.
June 5, 2015 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Zilma E. Santiago/ IAD Staff
Academic vice presidents, research directors and professors from Seventh-day Adventist universities in the Inter-American Division (IAD) met to discuss and promote a culture of research across its 14 universities during the first Researchers’ Congress held in the territory. The congress gathered more than two dozen administrators and educators at Antillean Adventist University in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, May 19-20, 2015.
IAD Education Director Dr. Gamaliel Florez said the congress was a vital step toward bringing Adventist universities closer together to continue enriching education and forming the kind of thinkers and doers the church and the world need today. IAD File photo by Abel Marquez
IAD Education director and organizer of the event Dr. Gamaliel Florez said the congress was a vital step toward bringing Adventist universities closer together to continue enriching education and forming the kind of thinkers and doers the church and the world need today.
“Research is an essential part of a university, and one that all our institutions strive to achieve even with the lack of resources,” said Dr. Florez. “It was important to see the exchange of experiences among university leaders, and learn the challenges and successes most of the institutions are having in their research process.”
Florez said the event sought to promote research in all its forms among IAD Adventist universities, make known the research work of professors, teachers and students, point out research as a valuable means of study and reflection on the challenges and possibilities in relation to social problems, contribute to the development of critical and creative thinking at national and international level, and stimulate research work that can sustain the transformation of practices of the educational community.
Dr. John Wesley Taylor V, associate education director for the Adventist world church, spoke on perspective and the role of research work in an Adventist institution, touched on a biblical paradigm for research the truth and challenges and opportunities for the qualitative research.
Dr. John Wesley Taylor V, associate education director of the Adventist world church, presents a seminar on challenges and opportunities in qualitative research, during the two-day event.
Five of the 10 Adventist universities represented at the congress presented their qualitative and quantitative research, challenges of the researcher, strategies on how to resolve the tension between teaching and research, linking sectors to finance research, and the role of research committees, among others.
Round table discussions with administrators and educators included dialogue about the challenges faced by research professors, sharing of models, which look to promote a research culture in Adventist institutions, collaboration opportunities in research projects, and other issues.
In addition, faculty and graduate students presented their research through a special exhibition where they could talk about their research not only from a philosophical, conceptual, and methodological standpoint, but also the results and recommendations arising from the research.
According to Dr. Florez, the congress enriched administrators and educators in that it set the foundation to integrate IAD universities into a network of researchers, with a committee led by Montemorelos University, Navojoa Adventist University, Antillean Adventist University and the University of Southern Caribbean.
During its first meeting, the new committee proposed to offer a new course in research for 140 participants from Adventist universities across Inter-America with which research will be strengthened, Florez said.
In addition, new research will be done jointly among all IAD universities or among a few universities interested in specific subjects.
“We want every university professor to become a scholar in his/her subject through research and professional development,” said Dr. Florez.
The next researchers’ congress is scheduled to take place next year in Montemorelos University, in Mexico.