DOST Visayas Cluster holds research forum

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices VI, VII, and VIII in partnership with the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) through the project “Frontier Research Agenda and Capability Building of Researchers in Visayas: NRCP Science and Technology Experts Pool (NSTEP) Visayas” organized their pioneer NSTEP Visayas Research Forum with a theme: Promoting Visayas Regional Research: From Disruptions to Moving Forward.

In attendance were 222 researchers from various provinces in Regions VI, VII, and VIII, heads of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), and the NRCP members from other regions.

In his opening message, DOST VII Regional Director Engr. Jesus Zamora emphasized how crucial it is that the organization continues to move forward in spite of disruptions from the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Moreover, the event’s rationale was discussed by NSTEP Visayas Focal Person Dr. Doralyn Dalisay, where she mentioned that NSTEP Visayas is a one-stop shop for NRCP Members from the capacity building activities offered through webinars including Webinar on Research Publication, Webinar on Intellectual Property Protection, Webinar on How to Create Research Poster, Webinar on How to Present Research Paper Online, and lastly the Webinar and Workshop on Policy Brief Making.

In addition, Dalisay also discussed the provision of seed grants where she encouraged the NRCP members in the Visayas to participate in the NRCP-NSTEP Visayas activities, particularly in securing research grants.

The following researches were presented: Online Well-being Development Program for College Students during COVID-19”, “Assessing Mental Health Needs and Psychosocial Adjustments of Community-Dwelling Adults in the Context of Extended Pandemic Lockdown in Tacloban City”, “Funeral Tradition Alterations due to COVID-19 Pandemic Health Protocols Among Urban Filipino Catholics in Central Visayas”, “Multistakeholder’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Poultry Zoonoses in the Provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte”, and “Assessing Urban Poor Communities’ Utilization and LGU’s Management of Public Water Wells Towards Water Security and Participatory Governance in Cebu City”.

After the forum concluded, there are plans to hold a second research forum on the last quarter of Calendar Year 2022.