The Regional Seminar Workshop on Research Upgrading and Performance Evaluation was conducted by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines, in partnership with the DOST National Capital Region last April 22 and 23, 2014 at the Traders Hotel Manila. The seminar workshop is one of the components of the DOST-funded NAST PHL project entitled “Evaluation and Improvement of the Research Publication and IP Productivity of the DOST R&D Institutes.” It aims to encourage researchers to take part in shaping regional research and development agenda through its workshops and to provide discussion on current research and development approaches and tools.
National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz gave an overview of the project and its activities. She also gave the specific objectives of the regional seminar workshop and provided points to level off the expectations of the participants.
She reiterated that one of the goals in conducting the seminar workshop is to encourage the participants to publish scientific articles in internationally recognized journals. NS Cruz emphasized the need to prepare institution-specific efforts related to increasing the number of publications. Her presentation was followed by the presentation of Director Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo, who discussed the various programs and services being provided by NAST Philippines.
Various lecture presentations and workshops were also given and facilitated by reputable speakers. Academician Marco Nemesio E. Montaño, professor at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines (UP)Diliman and NAST PHL Member, gave a lecture on Ethics in Research and Development. Acd. Montaño reminded the researchers to always be mindful of how they carry out research from its initial stage until article publication. He discussed ethical guidelines as well.
The SWOT Workshop was facilitated by Dr. Jaine C. Reyes, assistant to the dean of the College of Public Affairs, UP Los Baños. At the end of the workshop various strategies were recommended to improve quality of research outputs. Some of the strategies include research collaboration between various universities and institutionalization of various incentive systems to encourage researchers to publish in reputable journals.
On the other hand, the lecture and workshop on Writing Scientific Articles were given and facilitated by Dr. Franco G. Teves. Dr. Teves is the Research Director of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. He provided a step-to-step discussion on the writing process. The lecture on research performance system in research institutions was given by Dr. Arnel N. del Barrio, Center Director of the Philippine Carabao Center at Los Baños, Laguna. Dr. Del Barrio mentioned that performance evaluation of research initiatives is dependent on the institution’s thrusts and objectives. On the other hand, Dr. Edsel L. Beja, professor at the Department of Economics, Ateneo de Manila University, discussed their current efforts to espouse a culture of research in the university.
The two-day seminar workshop was moderated by Ms. Guada B. Ramos-Dimaya of NAST PHL. The seminar workshop was attended by 150 participants from various academes and research and development consortia in the region.