NDKC Academics Present Research at Asian Conference Education in Tokyo
TOKYO, JAPAN — The Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) earned significant international recognition after four of its faculty successfully presented their research at The 17th Asian Conference on Education (ACE2025). The major international event, which convened 736 delegates from 65 countries and 435 institutions, was held from November 23–28, at the Toshi Center Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
The NDKC team comprising Dr Blenn B Nimer, Dr Klemm Ryan Z Bernabe, Dr Daisy P Labadia, and Gil Henry Aballe, MA, represented the Philippines alongside global scholars. The conference was organised by The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) in partnership with the IAFOR Research Centre at the University of Osaka.
Challenging the Status Quo: The Holistic Student Experience
The paper presented by the group, titled “The Holistic Student Experience: Understanding the Multifaceted Factors Influencing College Student Success,” immediately drew attention for its critical analysis of traditional academic metrics.
The research directly challenges the prevailing focus on Grade Point Average (GPA) as the sole measure of student success, arguing that this narrow perspective “overlooks the numerous challenges students face… which can significantly impact their overall well-being and ability to thrive.”
To develop a more comprehensive understanding, the scholars employed a convergent mixed methods approach, gathering both quantitative data through a highly reliable survey instrument and rich qualitative data through open-ended essay responses.
This rigorous analysis culminated in the creation of The Holistic Student Experience Framework. This model moves beyond academics by incorporating six essential and interconnected dimensions that collectively determine a student’s ability to flourish: academic, social, emotional, financial, institutional, and personal.
By integrating these facets, the framework empowers schools to move away from isolated solutions, allowing them to “better address students’ complex and variegated challenges, fostering a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.”
Nimer’s Dual Contributions and Leadership Roles
In addition to the group’s presentation, Dr Blenn B Nimer, Director for Research, Planning, Innovation, and Development, presented another paper, “Enhancing Student Engagement Through Effective Instruction.”
Dr Nimer’s research, based on a quantitative causal design involving 556 students, used his self-developed Instructional Effectiveness and Student Engagement Models (2024) to isolate key teacher characteristics that drive learning. The findings revealed that a teacher’s Overall Presence is a critical predictor of student engagement, with Instructional Skills and Professional Image also playing substantial roles.
The study concluded that a strong teacher presence — marked by effective communication and engaging teaching methods — cultivates “deep thinking, active participation, positive emotions, and positive social interactions among students.”
Dr Nimer also took on significant leadership responsibilities during the week-long summit. He served as a Session Chair for the track on Educational Policy, Leadership, Management and Administration, and was invited to join the Review Committee, where he was tasked with evaluating papers submitted by other international scholars.
The successful participation and research excellence demonstrated by the NDKC delegation cement the institution’s role as an active contributor to global educational innovation and
discourse.
