The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) has tapped two scientists to help Capiz State University (CapSU) and Mindanao State University (MSU) strengthen their research capabilities in fisheries and smart farming.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the DOST-NRCP’s Research and Development Leadership (RDLead) Program engaged local science and technology (S&T) experts for two educational institutions in Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
He named Dr. Ricardo P. Babaran and Dr. Elmer P. Dadios as the two RD Leaders.
"Dr. Ricardo P. Babaran will be engaged as RD Leader for Capiz State University (CapSU). He will be mentoring and assisting CapSU in strengthening its research capabilities in the field of fisheries and fisheries management to support the fisheries sector in Capiz province and Region 6,” de la Peña said.
“This is also in support of Roxas City’s reputation as the “Seafood Capital” of the Philippines,” he added.
Dadios, on the other hand, will be assisting MSU General Santos in developing its research capabilities in smart farming and fisheries by conducting training on robotics and artificial intelligence geared towards their application in agriculture and fisheries, de la Peña said.
The DOST chief noted that since July 2018, a total of 42 RD Leaders for 40 different institutions have been engaged across 16 regions in the country.
They are deployed to 39 higher education institutions, two research and development institutes, and one national government agency.
The RDLead Program is part of the DOST’s Accelerated Research and Development (R&D) Program for Capacity Building of R&D Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness under the Science for Change umbrella.
“Through this program, the higher education institutions (HEIs) or research development institutions (RDIs), will engage experts with strong leadership, management and innovative policy-making proficiencies to be in charge of strengthening the research capabilities of the HEIs or RDIs,” the DOST said.
The RDLead Program, it said, aims to help develop and strengthen further the research capabilities of the academe, RDIs, and other government line agencies nationwide.
"To this end, RDLeaders who are local S&T experts with strong leadership and innovative policy proficiencies are engaged to train, and direct and support their R&D goals. Depending on the R&D needs of the academe, RDIs, and line agencies, an RDLeader is engaged through application, screening, and evaluation by the NCRP.”
NRCP is the key implementing arm of the program.