The International Multidisciplinary Research-Based Extension Conference (IMREC) is an annual platform that brings together researchers, educators, extension practitioners, government agencies, industry partners, development organizations, and community stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share innovative practices, and advance research-based extension. The conference provides a space for translating multidisciplinary research into practical, scalable, and sustainable interventions that respond to emerging societal and community needs. It was first held in 2023 at Batanes State College, followed by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 2024 and Bohol Island State University in 2025.

For 2026, Davao de Oro State College (DdOSC), through its Extension Services Division, assumes the hosting role for the fourth edition of IMREC. DdOSC is joined by Bohol Island State University (BISU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Batanes State College (BSC), Ifugao State University (IFSU), and Isabela State University (ISU) as partner higher education institutions in organizing the conference.

Anchored on the theme of translating multidisciplinary research into scalable extension innovations, IMREC 2026 seeks to strengthen the research-extension-innovation nexus by connecting academic knowledge and research outputs with actual community needs. It promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative approaches while encouraging the development of interventions that can be adapted, sustained, replicated, and scaled across different communities and institutional contexts.

The conference is organized around five multidisciplinary strands that reflect the broad application of research-based extension:

• Technical Training and Skills Development — focuses on research and extension initiatives that develop technical competencies, practical skills, livelihood capabilities, and other forms of capacity development that contribute to individual and community advancement.
• Educational Enhancement — highlights research-based interventions that improve teaching, learning, educational management, instructional practices, and other initiatives that contribute to more responsive and inclusive education.
• Health and Well-Being — focuses on research and extension initiatives that promote physical, mental, social, and community well-being, including approaches that respond to health-related concerns and improve quality of life.
• Community Development — presents initiatives that address community needs through participatory, sustainable, and evidence-based approaches, particularly those that strengthen community capacity and support local development.
• Social Empowerment and Governance — explores initiatives that promote participation, inclusion, leadership, good governance, institutional development, and community empowerment, particularly approaches that strengthen the ability of communities and institutions to respond to social challenges.

Venue...(The Royal Mandaya Hotel)

The Royal Mandaya Hotel will serve as the official venue of the 4th International Multidisciplinary Research-Based Extension Conference (IMREC 2026) on November 18–20, 2026.

Located along J. Palma Gil Street in Poblacion District, Davao City , The Royal Mandaya Hotel is a centrally located city hotel that provides accommodation, dining, leisure, and business facilities for conference participants. Its location provides convenient access to several commercial, cultural, and tourism destinations in central Davao City.

Why The Royal Mandaya Hotel?

The facilities in support the different activities of a multidisciplinary international conference. The hotel provides multiple function and meeting spaces, particularly important for IMREC 2026 as the conference includes five parallel strands. The conference programme assigns these strands to the Main Hall and four breakout rooms, making a venue with flexible event spaces especially suitable for the conference.

Furthermore, the hotel offers accommodation, dining outlets, Wi-Fi, parking, room service, daily housekeeping, and an outdoor swimming pool. These allow participants to stay, dine, and attend conference activities within a convenient location.

Lastly, the hotel's central location offers convenient access to both Davao International Airport, which is approximately a 25–30-minute drive away, and nearby attractions such as People's Park, Aldevinco Shopping Centre, Roxas Avenue Night Market, and Museo Dabawenyo. This makes it convenient for conference participants arriving by air while also giving them opportunities to explore Davao City during their free time.