NRCP underscores Community Involvement in Research
NRCP underscores Community Involvement in Research “As a researcher and scientist, from the start of identifying problems in our research study, we must engage the locals within the community, the local government officials, the industry, and other stakeholders related to it.”
The statement was from Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, Executive Director of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), who recently captivated a group of young researchers and scientists’ audience at the Tomas Aquinas Research Center Auditorium in UST, Manila.
One of the key presentations was on INFLORAS, led by Dr. Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac, a resident researcher at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (UST-RCNAS). Dr. Dagamac and his team shared the scientific findings of the NRCP-funded research project from their two-year program focusing on mangroves and protists in San Fernando City, La Union.
Meanwhile, in an open forum, Dr. Sepeda, emphasized the importance of embracing basic research through a transdisciplinary research approach, which he adopted from the International Science Council’s best practices.
Highlighting the essence of community engagement in research, Dr. Sepeda stressed the involvement of locals, government officials, industries, and other stakeholders from the outset of a research study. He underscored the holistic approach needed in scientific research, advocating for the direct participation of communities to address societal issues effectively.
“Para sa simula pa lang ng research natin may direktang partisipasyon na ang komunidad; ang mga mamamayan nito, ang local officials, ang industry para naman holistiko ang approach ng siyentipkong pananaliksik. Hanggang maitawid natin ang research findings sa knowledge translation or public policymaking upang matugunan ang mga panguhing problema ng mamamayan o mga pangunhing isyung panlipunan.” Dr. Sepeda added.
The event was part of the UST Research Fortnight activity which featured a mini-symposium organized by the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS).
The UST Research Fortnight is a dynamic platform that celebrates innovative research endeavors by university faculty members and students, showcasing a spectrum of groundbreaking research outputs.
NRCP invites researchers, scientists, and innovators to join the Council for the 2024 Annual Scientific Conference and 91st General Membership Assembly on 12 March 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). (Glenn Ford B. Tolentino, S&T Media Service)
