The National Academy of Science and Technology, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Region 6 organized the Regional Seminar Workshop on Research Upgrading and Performance Evaluation in Iloilo City last May 22 and 23, 2014. It was attended by researchers and research administrators in the region. The workshop is part of the DOST-funded NAST PHL Project entitled “Evaluation and Improvement of the Research Publication and IP Productivity of the DOST R&D Institutes.” The workshop aims to gather research and development stakeholders to create points of action for region-based research and development initiatives. Through the workshop, various research and development opportunities were discussed.
Director Rowen R. Gelonga of DOST Region 6 welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of enabling researchers to develop technologies that will benefit commercial initiatives. Further, Director Gelonga stressed that collaboration amongst the region’s researchers is vital for inclusive growth and development.
The current thrust of DOST is to provide science-based tools for socio-economic development; in this sense, the need for better research and technology generation poses a challenge for local researchers.
NAST PHL Director, Ms. Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo gave the background of the project along with the workshop objectives. The participants were encouraged to actively participate in the various workshop activities. In alignment with the DOST Research and Development Research Agenda, the workshop outputs are to be used to create both the regional and national research and development action plans. Director Domingo also discussed the various opportunities available through the programs and projects being implemented by the Academy.
Lecture presentations were given by notable resource persons. The DOST Grants-in-Aid Policies and parallel programs were discussed by Ms. Ma. Teresa M. Vasquez of the Special Projects Division of the Office of the DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development. In her presentation, Ms. Vasquez discussed the process for accessing grants from the Department. Requirements for research grants were also explained.
Research Performance Evaluation Systems in both research institutions and academe, such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), were presented. The presentations were given by Dr. Junemei Lebata-Ramos, head, Research Division of the Aquaculture Department of SEAFDEC, and Dr. Ricardo Babaran, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of UPV, respectively. Both served as models for research incentive systems and research collaboration. Incentive systems has been acknowledged to positively encourage researchers to engage in more research.
Important points about patents and utility model registration were discussed by Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ITSO Manager and Vice President for Research and Extension of the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology. Dr. Ambut encouraged researchers to apply for patent registration. The commercialization of these outputs will not only generate profit for researchers but royalties to their respective institutions as well.
Dr. Franco G. Teves, Research Director of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, gave the lecture on Writing Scientific Articles. He provided a step-by-step discussion on the writing process and facilitated the subsequent workshop. Participant groups were asked to critique a manuscript and recommend ways on how to improve it. Dr. Teves also gave the presentation on scientific mentoring and research collaboration. The participants were encouraged to maintain linkages with members of their group.
Ethics in research and development were discussed by NAST Academician Marco Nemesio E. Montaño, a professor at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. He presented the ethical standards from proposal writing to scientific article publication. Acd. Montaño pointed out the benefits of creating a patents board and/ or committee in their respective institutions.
Dr. Jaine C. Reyes, Assistant to the Dean of the College of Public Affairs, UP Los Baños, facilitated the analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Each group identified strategies to upgrade research based on the results of their SWOT analysis. The participants recognized the importance of collaboration among academic institutions in improving research and recommended the holding of more workshops.
The two-day seminar workshop was moderated by Ms. Faye Fantilanan of DOST Region 6. National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz commented on the group outputs and praised all for working hard and actively participating in the workshop.