by J-Roel Semilla
In celebration with its 36th foundation, the College of Education (CED) hosted a Research Stakeholders’ Forum with the theme “Innovation and Sustainability through Transformative Leadership” last January 24, 2020 at CED Amphitheater.
Around 50 participants attended the forum which was composed of CED faculty, staff, and graduate students. Gearing towards the goal of becoming a research university, CED aims to collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance its research agenda and nourish its research culture.
“May we improve our research impact through publication on journals and may also our research outputs have a positive influence in the society around us,” Dr. Amelia T. Buan, Dean of the College of Education, said in her warm and brief introduction of the event.
The invited speakers, who were representatives of different governing bodies, talked about the research agenda f thier respective organizations.
The speakers were Dr. Nathalie T. Igot of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Ms. Arianne S. Sioson of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Dr. Rustico Y. Jerusalem of the Department of Education, and Mr. Dan Capangpangan representing the Alumni students.
Dr. Igot briefly discussed the National Higher Education Research Agenda 2 (NHERA-2), Dr. Jerusalem talked about the contents of the Basic Education Research Agenda (BERA), and Ms. Sioson also shared the DOST’s Harmonized National R&D Agenda. Further, Mr. Capangpangan imparted his experience how he had dealt with the problems he encountered in conducting research.
The forum was delivered with important information from different speakers. Dr. Reynaldo M. Vequizo, Director of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office (KTTO) started with the idea of partnership and collaboration.
“To innovate will add cost and time, and no immediate result. That is why we need to co-create, especially with our stakeholders.”
Dr. Igot also highlighted the need to create a culture of mentor-mentee relationship.
“Given the poverty of resources, the mentoring is substantial influence in establishing a research culture. Professors should utilize and hone young people who have the potential to do greater things.”
Dr. Imelu G. Mordeno, the CED Research Coordinator, stated during his synthesis of the forum about planning and being creative in generating resources.
“As a Third World Country, we need to plan, not only on our goals but also on the resources available to us. “Resources” does not necessarily mean only money but also time, social resources, connections, and networks. I guess this is a very good way emphasizing that planning should be done thoroughly.”
Dr. Mordeno further encouraged the faculty and students in doing research to be driven with internal motivation to conduct research in his message.
“When we do research, it is undeniable that we need funding since we could not do research without money. However, the motivation to do research is beyond money. Given the limited resources that we have, the inspiration is actually internal. It is important to have the motivation to do research despite the fact that we lack funding.”
The participants raised their questions during the open forum. The event ended with an inspiring closing remarks by Assistant Dean Juliet C. Tero.