On September 14, 2024, the Center of Research in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (CREED) of the College of Business Administration (CBA), led by Dr. Jonathan C. Gano-an – Center Manager, organized a whole-day training on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and delivered via Zoom. The event was graced by Professor Rochman Hadi Mustafa from the Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, who shared his expertise and insights on SEM. The training attracted active participation from both faculty members and graduate students at the College.

The event began with an opening message of CBA Dean Dr. Edeliza S. Gonzales, setting the stage for a day of learning and knowledge-sharing. MBA Program Head Dr. Nowa Cyrhyl C. Balderas concluded the session, expressing appreciation for the active participation of attendees and emphasizing the importance of the training in advancing research capabilities within the College.

The training focused on introducing participants to SEM, a powerful statistical tool widely used in

disciplines such as social sciences, economics, psychology, and business research. SEM is essential for analyzing complex relationships between variables and testing theoretical models, making it highly valuable for academic research and practical applications in business.

The College recognizes the growing importance of SEM in modern research and has undertaken this training to equip graduate students with the necessary skills to apply SEM effectively, particularly in their thesis or dissertation work. The program covered fundamental concepts as well as advanced techniques, offering hands-on experience with popular SEM software like AMOS, LISREL, and R. Participants also learned to critically evaluate published SEM research and apply the method to solve real-world business problems.

By providing this training, the College aims to enhance the research capabilities of its students and faculty, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the field of business research. This initiative aligns with the College’s broader mission to foster academic excellence and innovation using rigorous research methodologies.