ISUFST levels up research with DOST-NRCP training

BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo — The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology hosted a weeklong training program to strengthen its research and development capabilities through the 2026 Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines Research and Development Leadership Program.

The activity, titled “Advancing Research and Development Capabilities of ISUFST,” was held from April 19 to 25, 2026, at the Hasa-Hasa Theatre, Research and Extension Hub, Main Campus-Tiwi Site.

The program featured lectures, workshops, and planning sessions designed to improve faculty research output, proposal development, and policy translation.

DOST-NRCP’s RDLead program engages local science and technology experts to help higher education institutions, research and development institutions, and government agencies strengthen their research capabilities and align their work with institutional and national development goals.

Dr. Roger G. Dolorosa, Professor VI from Western Philippines University, led the technical sessions, with support from DOST-NRCP through RDLead Project Senior Technical Specialist Marfy H. Lita.

Lita represented NRCP Executive Director Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda and, together with Project Staff Ivy A. Sacapaño, facilitated key components of the training.

Dr. Edwin F. Mosura, a researcher and former assistant school principal, also contributed to the workshop sessions.

The program opened with messages from ISUFST leaders, including University President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr., Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Jescel B. Bito-onon, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Stephen Raymund T. Jinon.

Their messages highlighted the university’s push to strengthen research and make it more responsive to national needs.

The training then moved to scientific writing and peer review, focusing on helping participants develop clearer papers and navigate the process of submitting to indexed journals, including those recognized by Scopus.

The sessions emphasized hands-on work, including drafting, revising, and improving research manuscripts.

The focus later shifted to research proposal development, with NRCP orientation and critique sessions helping participants shape ideas into relevant and fundable proposals.

Discussions with faculty and stakeholders helped ground the proposals in real needs and potential applications.

Other sessions linked research to practical use, covering areas such as farm systems, hatcheries, and ecosystems.

The goal was to ensure that research outputs move beyond publication and contribute to solutions in communities and industries.

Participants also finalized outputs and mapped next steps through a six-month research and development action plan and possible collaborations.

At its core, the RDLead training sought to strengthen how research is done at ISUFST by building skills, setting direction, and encouraging collaboration.

The activity is expected to help turn current research work into practical and usable outputs. (Rex Paulino | Herman Lagon | PAMMCO)