RIDe Fest Champions Bold Innovation and Community Impact
Central Luzon State University (CLSU) officially kicked off its Research, Innovation, and Development (RIDe) Festival 2026 today, October 19, featuring a vibrant community parade followed by an engaging opening program at the Multi-Purpose Gym. In his welcome remarks, Vice President for Administration Dr. Ariel G. Mactal emphasized that research achieves true value only when it directly benefits the community. "A breakthrough becomes truly meaningful when it moves beyond discovery to become a force for positive change," Dr. Mactal noted. Representing Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena, Director of the Institution Development Division at DOST-PCAARRD, shared an inspiring vision for CLSU to become a full-fledged "Education Economic Zone." She highlighted that higher education fulfills its highest purpose when it directly addresses food security, local livelihoods, and the economic well-being of the Filipino people. “When a university functions as an education economic zone, it creates a self-sustaining cycle,” Dr. Decena explained. “Academic research drives economic value, and economic growth attracts industry partnerships and private investments. Those investments then flow back into R&D infrastructure, student scholarships, and advanced scientific inquiries.” Following the opening ceremony, the university launched the RIDe Fest Expo. The showcase features interactive booths from research centers, academic colleges, agricultural partners, and government agencies, all highlighting cutting-edge breakthroughs and community-centered innovations.
