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Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, the newly appointed Executive Director of the NRCP (2nd from the left) paid a courtesy call on DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. (3rd from L) last Wednesday, 4 January 2023.  DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Leah J. Buendia (L) and NRCP President, Dr. Cristine D. Villagonzalo (R) also joined in this courtesy visit.

 Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, the newly appointed Executive Director of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) paid a courtesy call on Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. last Wednesday, 4 January 2023, at the DOST Central Office, Bicutan, Taguig City. They were joined by DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Leah J. Buendia and NRCP President Cristine D. Villagonzalo.

DOST Secretary Solidum cordially welcomed Dr. Sepeda as a new member of the DOST family.

During the courtesy visit, the DOST and NRCP Officials discussed the alignment of programs, funding, and harmonization of basic research within the department, process improvement, strategic directions, among others.

Secretary Solidum advised Dr. Sepeda to “look beyond six years” for impact and legacy. He emphasized that, as a collegial body of researchers, the NRCP plays an important role in the DOST, particularly for basic research, and will benefit from a strong collaboration among the attached agencies of the DOST.

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DOST Secretary Solidum discusses the areas where collaboration can be strengthened among NRCP, DOST, and its attached agencies.

Dr. Sepeda will lead the NRCP Management Staff for three years, until 2 January 2026, subject to renewal by the NRCP Governing Board.

Dr. Sepeda, who hails from Mendez, Cavite, is an Associate Member of the NRCP Division of Governmental, Educational, and International Policies under its Educational Policies Section. He was a former Dean of Student Services and Mission at the De La Salle Araneta University (2021-2022). He also served as a Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (2017-2021), and hold some other posts, in the same institution.

Dr. Sepeda, obtained both his Doctor of Education, Major in Values Education and Religious Education (2004) and M.A. in Education Major in Religious Education (1994) at the De La Salle University-Manila and with distinction. He received his B.A. Major in Philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas, cum laude.

Dr. Sepeda’s research interests include religious and values education, Filipino intellectual history, educational leadership studies, and local contemporary church history.

Dr. “Aido” Sepeda is the 13th NRCP Executive Director since 1937.