DOST Visayas cluster takes part in orientation on NRCP membership
The Department of Science and Technology DOST) Regional Offices VI, VII, and VIII partnered with the National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) for the project, “Frontier Research Agenda and Capability Building of Researchers in Visayas: NRCP Science and Technology Experts Pool (NSTEP) Visayas” to conduct the Virtual Orientation on NRCP Membership.
The primary goal of this activity is to encourage more researchers to join the NRCP and guide them on how to apply for membership.
In attendance were a whopping 162 participants from various state universities and colleges (SUCs), higher education institutes (HEIs), and national government agencies from the Visayan regions.
In his opening message, Engr. Rowen Gelonga, Regional Director of DOST VI and NSTEP Visayas project leader, mentioned that the NSTEP Visayas Chapter contributed to the increase in NRCP members by noting that 52 new members hail from Visayas as of March.
Gelonga adds that NSTEP Visayas hopes the number of NRCP members from Visayan regions continue to rise further and that the Visayas chapter can improve its Science and Technology (S&T) human resource by providing more opportunities for NRCP membership and conducting the virtual orientation.
An overview of NRCP as a Research Council and Collegial Body took place and was presented by Dr. Hope Yu, Chair of the Governing Board’s Membership Committee and Member of the Humanities Division, where she discussed the NRCP’s dedication to support frontier and problem-oriented research in the sciences and humanities that address and provide solutions to relevant national issues.
In addition, Yu mentioned that the NRCP’s research priorities and directions are guided by the National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA).
Moreover, an orientation presented by Dr. Ramon Christian Eusebio, Chair Division of Engineering and Industrial Research on NRCP’s 13 Scientific Divisions, where he shared data about NRCP members per region.
The data showed that National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest number of members at 1,794 followed by Region IV-A (CALABARZON) at 756 members while Regions III, VI, VII, and X followed suit at around 200 members.
In line with this, Eusebio encouraged all NRCP members to promote the organization to colleagues and other researchers as a way to further expand memberships especially to regions with lower numbers of members.
Also tackled during the event were the benefits and privileges that come with being an NRCP member presented by Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, a DOST-NRCP regular member.
These benefits and privileges include funding for basic research projects, training, free publication in the NRCP Journal, professional linkages, and opportunities to be involved in consultancy and advisorial engagements.
Furthermore, NRCP Membership Criteria, Requirements, and Online Application Procedures were likewise discussed by Ms. Kim Glaiza Wong of the Research Development and Monitoring Division of the NRCP.
Wong stated that at the moment, the e-application for NRCP Associate Membership on Scientific Knowledge Management System (SKMS) is closed but will resume operations on May 25 to July 10.
The concluding presentation was given by Mr. Anton Santiago of the Research Development and Monitoring Division of the NRCP tackled the overview of the NSTEP, its various activities, and its funded research projects.
A follow-up orientation on NRCP Membership and Application Procedures is set to take place on June 24. (JGagajena, DOST VI-KMU)