By Mikee Natinga Norico

Members of the University Research Committee (URESCOM) for SY 2026–2027 pose for a group photo following their first orientation and planning meeting at the CPUGAD TBI Co-Working Space.

The Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (OVPRDE), in collaboration with the University Research Center (URC), convened the first meeting of the newly appointed members of the University Research Committee (URESCOM) for School Year 2026–2027 on July 31 at the CPUGAD TBI Co-Working Space, marking the start of strengthened research initiatives aimed at advancing the University’s research culture and institutional excellence.

The meeting was led by Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension; Dr. Evelyn Grace D. Ayson, Director of the University Research Center; and Ms. Ligaya Villarias-Caniel, Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Focal Person. Members of the University Research Committee for SY 2026–2027 attended the orientation and planning session.

The program opened with the introduction of the University Research Center personnel, followed by the welcome of the newly appointed committee members and staff. Participants also introduced themselves, sharing their respective colleges, departments, and roles within the University.

Discussions underscored the vital role of research in enhancing the University’s academic reputation, institutional development, and overall performance. The URC presented its plans to strengthen research support for faculty members through comprehensive training, mentoring, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives tailored to the needs of different colleges and departments.

Among the initiatives outlined were research proposal writing workshops, publication workshops, mentoring programs, and proposal preparation sessions designed to increase faculty research productivity. The office likewise emphasized the importance of increasing the University’s research publications in reputable journals to improve institutional performance and standing in higher education ranking systems.

The meeting also highlighted key priorities in technology transfer, innovation, intellectual property protection, commercialization of research outputs, and startup development. The URC reaffirmed its commitment to assisting researchers in patenting innovations, protecting intellectual property, and transforming research outputs into commercially viable products and services.

To further expand research opportunities, participants discussed the importance of strengthening collaborations with industry partners, government agencies, and other higher education institutions. The office also shared its plans to help faculty members identify research grants and external funding opportunities that would support high-impact research projects.

Committee members were encouraged to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across colleges and academic units to produce research with greater societal impact. Future schedules for workshops, publication support activities, and faculty mentoring programs were likewise presented as part of the University’s continuing efforts to build research capability.

Serving as both an orientation and planning session, the meeting reaffirmed the University’s commitment to cultivating a dynamic and supportive research environment by providing continuous guidance to faculty researchers—from proposal development and publication to innovation, technology transfer, and research commercialization—while advancing Central Philippine University’s pursuit of research excellence.