The Department of Communication Research (CRes), in collaboration with the Office of Research and Publication, held the CMC Diamond Talk and CRes Legacy Lecture at the CMC Auditorium on 7 April.
Prof. Violeda Umali, PhD, delivered the lecture titled “Elevating Communication as Scholarship: The Enduring and Evolving Legacy of the UP Department of Communication Research.” In her talk, Dr. Umali traced how the department pioneered and sustained the recognition of communication as a discipline that contributes to a deeper understanding of people’s symbolic and structural environments. She emphasized the role of communication research in generating critical and creative solutions, as well as innovations that address the needs of society.
Dr. Umali characterized the department’s legacy in two key ways. First, she highlighted its dynamic and evolving programs in instruction, research, publication, and extension, which serve as catalysts for the department’s continued growth and relevance. Second, she pointed to the contributions and accomplishments of faculty, students, and alumni beyond the academe, noting how their work affirms and advances the importance of communication scholarship across various fields and sectors.
The lecture also featured active participation from faculty members, who shared insights into the department’s projects, initiatives, and engagements developed over the years.
In her closing remarks, CRes Chair Dr. Julienne Baldo-Cubelo offered a forward-looking perspective on the department’s direction. She underscored the importance of strengthening community engagement and reaffirmed the need for the department to continue immersing itself in the communities it serves. -Sto. Tomas, 2026
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