Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Sultan Kudarat State University President Atty. Cyrus E. Torreña, DPA, MNSA delivered a virtual keynote address during the 2nd International Conference on Emerging Trends in Multidisciplinary Research 2026, held on October 8, 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His keynote, titled “From Research to Resilience: Multidisciplinary Pathways to Peace, Inclusive Development, and Sustainable Communities,” offered a distinct perspective on the role of research and innovation in addressing real human and community needs
While much of today’s global conversation centers on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, President Torreña emphasized that innovation must ultimately be measured by how it improves the lives of people, especially those living in communities affected by poverty, exclusion, displacement, and conflict. He challenged researchers and institutions to look beyond what technology can do and instead ask what meaningful change it can bring to communities.
Drawing from his experience in public service and peacebuilding, President Torreña highlighted several community-based initiatives implemented in Maguindanao del Sur, including AGILA HAVEN, AGILA Arm to Farm, and Pangus Kalilintad. These programs illustrated how peacebuilding can be strengthened through livelihood support, agriculture, family and community engagement, social reintegration, and sustained institutional cooperation.
He highlighted that peace and development cannot be approached from a single discipline alone. Conflict-affected communities may require the combined efforts of agriculture, education, social work, psychology, law, public administration, technology, and security institutions. For President Torreña, the challenge is not to determine which discipline is most important, but whether disciplines and institutions are willing to work together.
On the role of artificial intelligence, he noted that AI and digital technologies should be used with a clear human purpose—whether to widen access to education, improve public services, help government reach underserved communities, support farmers and learners, or provide better information for decision-making. He emphasized that technology should bring development closer to people rather than make it more distant.
Speaking as President of Sultan Kudarat State University, Atty. Torreña also stressed that university research should move beyond publication and the boundaries of the campus. He called on universities to work more closely with communities and ensure that research contributes to better decisions, stronger policies, meaningful programs, and improved lives.
Toward the end of his address, President Torreña reminded participants that progress should not be measured only by how intelligent technology becomes, but also by how intelligently institutions respond to human needs. He urged researchers, governments, universities, and communities to work together so that knowledge can help people rebuild, recover, and move forward.
His message captured the central idea of his keynote: when research reaches people, strengthens communities, and creates real opportunities for those who need them most, it becomes part of resilience itself.
The participation of President Torreña in this international gathering reflects SKSU’s continuing commitment to transformative research, meaningful community engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable development.
