Philippine E-Journals

GAINS FROM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR A GREEN UNIVERSITY

Jimmy T. Masagca | Minerva I. Morales

 

Abstract:

Research opportunities on the vision statement of Catanduanes State University (CatSU), a “green university”, is unlimited and requires clearer definition among the students, faculty, staff, administration and local communities. Using Q-squared approaches, narrative inquiry, action research and participatory research processes, management and control systems, linkages and some aspects of organizational management and support service model was developed. This model consists of the qualifiers on the phrases: “student-focused learning”, “teaching-research link”, “bridging research to a Green University” and “integrated undergraduate-graduate research” training program in the university. A complex meaning of research activities in knowledge generation, theory building, innovation, discoveries, technology, incubation, and creative scholarship is recognized here. Clustering (Alpha, Beta and Gamma) intellectual exchange of ideas and research publishing through regular meetings, dialogues, discussions and mentoring sessions that integrate student research with faculty and staff are carried-out from 2013 to 2016 (known as the informal years) embedded in externally-funded research programs following a home-grown research mentoring program scheme; and finally from 2017 to the present (the formal years) with PhP8 million funding from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) K to 12 Transition Period Institutional Development and Innovation Grant (IDIG). Tackling the issues on low research productivity and disinterest in publishing was central to the university’s R&D management program and found to be due to individual, institutional and societal factors affecting students and faculty members. Regarding faculty members, the issues on policies, funding, lack of a workable research agenda and capabilities, and IT infrastructural and library facilities were addressed. The student-faculty designed research and publishing initiatives for capability building are being sustained, with CHED IDIG funding. Detailed activities for Increased scholarly publications, high quality articles of faculty members for high impact journals, better quality articles appearing in CHED-JAS accredited and ISI/Thomson listed journals, and an Increased number of submissions from programs with a low number of publications were the cornerstones of IDIG within SF2TR Model StudentFocused Teaching – Research Management Model. The 12-month CHED-IDIG funded program that includes round table discussion, designing of training programs, regional, national and international conference, research skills workshops, research retreats, IT skills training, colloquia, academic discussions, research mentoring sessions and publishing clinics were carried out to address issues on producing high quality articles of faculty members appearing in high impact journals and submission of the academic publication, Asia Pacific Journal of Island Sustainability in the Journal Incentive Program (JIP) of the CHED.