DOST Usec encourages academes to engage more in

R&D, visits UPV, ISAT U & CPU

The Department of Science

and Technology
Undersecretary for
Research and
Development Dr. Rowena
Cristina L. Guevara, visited
the University of the
Philippines Visayas (UPV),
Iloilo Science and
Technology University
(ISAT U), and the Central
Philippine University (CPU)
to look into the on-going
R&D activities, and
promote the Accelerated
R&D Program for Capacity
Building of Research and
DOST Usec for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara visits on-going R&D Development Institutions
projects in UPV and promote the Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity and Industrial
Building of Research and Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness' of the
Competitiveness' of the Science for Change (S4C) Program of DOST. Science for Change (S4C)
Program of DOST,

Usec Guevara’s visit aims to encourage these institutions to engage more on R&D and avail of
the DOST grants.

The universities mentioned submitted proposals to DOST under the Niche Centers in the
Regions for R&D (NICER) program which aims to capacitate Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) in the regions, through an institutional grant for R&D activities that will make significant
improvement in regional research and S&T infrastructure. Through NICER, HEls will be able to
integrate regional development needs with R&D and local resources.

In UPV, the Undersecretary visited the ongoing research projects funded by the DOST-
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD). Among these projects are the study on Biocontrol Techniques Against Early
Mortality Syndrome/Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (EMS/AHPND), and the
Development of Remote Setting and Nursery Technologies for the Green Mussel, Perna viridis.

She also visited the new buildings for the School of Technology, Regional Research Center,
and the new site for the Library. The new Regional Research Center of the University of the
Philippines Visayas will house the DOST-funded Marine Fisheries Research and Development
Center in Western Visayas.
The Usec for R&D encouraged UPV’s Chancellor Dr. Ricardo Babaran to strengthen the
partnership with the industry and start transferring the technologies developed by the university.

Dr. Guevara also visited the USAID-funded laboratory facility for Natural products in ISAT U.
Funding from the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology
Research and Development (PCIEERD) enabled the university to develop food products from
Bioactive Fucoidan extracted from selected brown seaweeds from the Guimaras Strait. She
also encouraged ISAT U’s President, Dr. Raul F. Muyong to avail of the R&D Leadership
(R&DLead) program of DOST. The R&DLead program engages experts with strong leadership,
management and innovative policy-making proficiency to be in charge of strengthening the
research capabilities of the HEls or RDIs. The RDLead experts will then lead in establishing
new and upgrading existing R&D Centers under the NICER Program, or upgrading of existing
RDIs.

Finally, Dr. Guevara discussed with CPU’s President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Dr. Lejo Brana,
and Dr. Dahlia Pescos at CPU Packaging Engineering Laboratory, the establishment of an R&D
Center for Packaging Technology. CPU is the only university in Southeast Asia offering
Bachelor of Science in Packaging Engineering.
The Undersecretary
emphasized the importance of
packaging in the Food
Industry.

“There is a need to improve

the packaging of the
Philippine food delicacies to
meet international quality
standards and to lengthen its
shelf life”, the Usec said.

She also encouraged the Dr.

Robles to engage more in
research and development.

“Given the facilities, CPU can Usec Guevara encourages CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles to
start conducting locally-funded invest in human resource development, allow the faculty to avail of
researches on Packaging scholarships and pursue Masters Degree in Packaging Engineering.
Technology.” the Usec added.

She also encouraged the president to invest in human resource development, allow the faculty
to avail of scholarships and pursue Masters Degree in Packaging Engineering.
(DOST6/jrgabiota)