RITQ Director Represents PNU-RITQ at EdUHK IPCRF 2026
A group picture of Dr. Palomar and his advisees, with session facilitators, after his research presentation titled “Reviewing Pre-Service Teacher Education Curriculum in the Philippines as Support to Curriculum Reframing” during the conference parallel session.
HONG KONG — Dr. Brando C. Palomar, Director of the Research Institute for Teacher Quality (RITQ), represented the institute and the Philippine Normal University (PNU) at the International Postgraduate Conference and Research Forum (IPCRF) 2026, held from July 28 to 31, 2026, at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). Organized under the theme “Resilience and Adaptability: Preparing Global Citizens for Sustainable Development,” the annual gathering convened international academics, postgraduate students, and experts at EdUHK’s Tai Po campus to exchange research, build institutional networks, and address global issues across education, social sciences, liberal arts, and humanities.
As an alumnus of EdUHK, Dr. Palomar engaged in key research, academic, and networking activities throughout the four-day conference. His participation began on July 28 with the Opening Program, Plenary Sessions, and the Welcome Gala Dinner. On July 29, he participated in the Alumni Lunch Gathering, which aimed to strengthen international research collaborations and institutional linkages. Finally, on July 31, he presented the research paper titled “Reviewing Curriculum Implementation Designs and Support Mechanisms to Faculty and Students in Philippine Teacher Education Institutions” during the parallel presentation sessions.
The presented research forms part of a broader study initially titled “Reviewing Pre-Service Teacher Education Curriculum in the Philippines as Support to Curriculum Reframing.” As a key research undertaking of the RITQ, Dr. Palomar led this work as a Research Fellow under the Ateneo Research Institute for the Futures of Education in collaboration with EDCOM II. Based on a comprehensive scoping review and key informant interviews at Teacher Education Institutions, the study evaluates the alignment among basic education requirements, professional licensure outcomes, and pre-service training. It identifies alternative curriculum models, flexible experiential learning strategies, and essential academic and institutional support mechanisms for both pre-service teachers and teacher educators to enhance national teacher preparation.
A group photo of Dr. Palomar and his two PhD students at the Philippine Normal University, Mr. Kenneth Paul Gallema and Mr. Bryl Dovic Caballero.
In addition to presenting RITQ’s research, Dr. Palomar mentored two PhD students from the Philippine Normal University, whose abstracts were also accepted for parallel-session presentations. Mr. Kenneth Paul Gallema, a faculty member at National University Baliwag and PNU PhD student, presented the study entitled “Moderating Role of Athletic Identity in the Cross-Domain Motivational Transfer Among Collegiate Student-Athletes” during the parallel sessions on July 30. On July 31, Mr. Bryl Dovic Caballero, a faculty member at National University Cebu and PNU PhD student, shared the study entitled “Formative Evaluation of PATHFIT2 Program Implementation Through CIPP Model: Basis for Program Review and Enhancement.”
Dr. Palomar’s active involvement in 2026 marks his third consecutive year contributing to EdUHK’s premier postgraduate forum, establishing a sustained academic partnership between PNU and EdUHK. In 2024, Dr. Palomar and co-author Ms. Jovela Peñaojas of Southern Luzon State University received the Outstanding Paper Award during the opening ceremony for their research on pre-service science teachers’ readiness for blended teaching and for their paper presentation on inclusive science education. In 2025, he served as a featured panel member during the Alumni Roundtable titled “From Transience to Transformation: The Role of Educational Migration in Personal Development,” while also presenting research on senior high school physics instruction. RITQ extends its gratitude to PNU’s top management for their support of Dr. Palomar’s participation, which enables the institute to strengthen its international academic network and continue advocating for evidence-based policies in Philippine teacher education.
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