Research and Development Agenda

PROGRAMS OF ACTION

This component of the CSU R&D Agenda spells out the strategic programs to be pursued:

1. R&D Programs

The R&D programs aim to support technological innovations and fast-track policy formulations in the areas of agriculture, forestry, mining, S&T education, and other priority areas. Resources and activities shall be focused in attaining the goal of poverty alleviation among Caraga populace.

Specifically, R&D programs shall include the following:

a . R&D for Environmental Conservation and Management

R&D efforts shall be directed towards the development of new energy sources such as the exploitation of lesser-known plant and animal species for production and utilization of alternative clean and environment-friendly fuels.

R&D efforts on water shall be directed towards water treatment technologies and water budget studies to optimize the use of available safe water.

R&D activities on the environment shall focus on finding better ways of managing non-renewable natural resources (land, water, minerals, biodiversity) for sustainable economic development.

b. R&D in Support of Forestry, Agriculture, Mining and Ecotourism (FAME)

b.1. Support to Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization

R&D activities shall be directed to the development of modern technologies and their application to the improvement of production, post harvest and marketing of agricultural and forest commodities. Activities shall also focus in the development and improvement of research laboratories and facilities to enhance product competitiveness in forestry and the agriculture and fishery sector. Linkages with international research institutions needs to be strengthened to promote quality, at par with international standards.

b.2. Support to Industry Requirements

R&D activities to address requirements in industry shall focus on the identification and development of new products and processes that will find commercial application and improve productivity. These shall include teaching and learning modules, software development, non-traditional product development utilizing wastes from wood-based, mineral-based and agri-based industries specifically those geared towards value-adding. Activities shall make use of recent trends in biotechnology, bioprocess technology, genetic engineering and information and communication technology (ICT).

b.3. Support to Ecotourism

R&D activities shall focus on developing strategies to optimize the value of historical, cultural, agricultural and other nature-based tourism endeavors. Ecological studies that could enhance environmental conservation while utilizing these resources for tourist attraction shall be given emphasis.

c. Basic Researches in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology

Basic R&D activities in Mathematical and Natural Sciences shall be conducted to develop new knowledge and serve as basis for new developments. The basic knowledge generated from these R&D activities shall serve as the foundation for future applications, particularly in the areas of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Technology, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

d. R&D for Enhancement of S&T Education

R&D activities shall be directed towards development of strategies to improve the delivery of subject matter to encourage critical thinking among the youth particularly the school children. Studies on the use of modern and traditional techniques in teaching (both young and adult learners) shall be given emphasis to maximize transfer of information and knowledge.

e. R&D for Enhancement of Appreciation in Social Sciences and Languages

Socio-cultural aspects of the the society needs to be fully understood since these are the facilitators in achieving a goal. Understanding the core values and other cultural aspects (language, traditions, mores, etc) is vital in attaining success in every program. R&D activities, therefore, shall focus on the documentation and analysis of the socio-cultural dimension of tribal communities and other ethnic groups in the mainstream civilization.

2. Undergraduate and Graduate Theses

Theses (both undergraduate and graduate) shall be part of the research system of CSU. Theses shall be focused on areas that would contribute to the attainment of the Programs of Action set in this Agenda.

Theses shall conform with the R&D Agenda of the college where the curricular program falls.

3. Technology and Information Dissemination

The technology transfer component of R&D shall be focused on techno-demonstration, on-site pilot testing, and dissemination of IEC materials in various media.
Technology demonstrations shall be in the form of income-generating projects that would be attractive to would-be takers of the technology.
4. Human Resources Development Program

To augment the human resources addressing the technology and information needs of the Caraga Region, human resource development shall be a cyclic component of the R&D Agenda. Faculty members and other qualified personnel shall be sent for advanced training (either degree or non-degree program) to build and/or enhance capabilities to address the listed R&D programs.

Opportunities to be trained in international and national agencies for capability enhancement shall be sought in coordination with the CSU Scholarship Committee.

SPECIFIC AREAS FOR R&D

Engineering and Information Technology	Microeletronics
Geomatics	Water and Soils Resources
Post Harvest Facilities / Machineries	Fluid Mechanics
Mining	Metallurgy
Material Science	Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Crop Production	Livestock Production
Crop Protection / IPM	Reforestation
Management of Degraded Forest	AgroForestry
Post Harvest Technologies	Agricultural Marketing
AgriBusiness Management	Science Education
Pedagogy	Teaching - Learning Module Development
Arts and Sciences	Pure and Applied Mathematical Sciences
Sociology	Natural Resources Management
Pure and Applied Physics	Pure Biology
Pure Chemistry	Phytochemistry
Ecotoxicology	Bioprocess Technology
Biotechnology

STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE THE AGENDA

1. Establish linkage with stakeholders

Linkages and networking with other stakeholders having similar objectives with CSU shall be established. This is aimed to optimize outputs through the distribution of tasks and assignments. This strategy is also aimed to maximize dissemination and understanding of a program/project since the approach will be participatory.

2. Strengthen cooperation with LGUs and Peoples' Organizations

R&D activities are directed to answer technological and information needs and problems of people. Tapping the local government units (LGUs) and the peoples' organizations (POs) working in the locality shortens the period from the generation of technology and/or information to the time these are available for utilization. With cooperation from LGUs and POs, some applicable technologies and/or information can already be utilized even when the R&D is still on-going.

3. Adopt a multi-disciplinary approach in conducting research

For R&D activities to respond to problems and technological and/or information needs of society, a multi-disciplinary research shall be adopted. This approach minimizes the span of time required to address multi-faceted problems, while optimizing the budget to carry out activities of the R&D project.

4. Encourage newcomers in R&D through group research

In the R&D arena, the principle “No Man Is An Island” shall be adopted. A team approach in R&D activities may encourage newcomers while allowing the old researchers to learn new techniques from the new ones. This strategy is also aimed to encourage maximum participation in R&D activities to keep the Research Culture aflame.

5. Optimize human resource development

Tap scholarship opportunities from national and international sponsors to build/enhance capabilities among faculty and other personnel doing R&D activities. The R&D Office and the Scholarship Committee shall work closely to determine the gaps in human resource capability to prioritize the specialized fields which are wanting.

6. Provide support to researcher/s efforts

Support the endeavors and efforts of researchers to keep their interests in R&D ablaze. Support can be in the form of facilitating procurement of supplies and materials, equipment and other important inputs in the conduct of the R&D activities. Other forms of support are in terms of travel grants to attend and/or present papers in scientific fora/gatherings, publication support and incentives through teaching load reduction.

7. Create an atmosphere conducive to researchers
Researchers require a place and scientific tools to do some critical thinking and apply the ideas using some tools. Equipped research laboratories connected to the Internet shall be provided to give researchers an atmosphere to think critically and act logically.

Researchers shall be accorded 'flexi-time' to give them freedom to work in times when the mind is active and full of bright ideas.