USTP Panaon strengthens research culture through RDLead capacity-building workshop
By Jenny M. Dela Cruz, Research Office, USTP Panaon
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The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Panaon, Misamis Occidental (USTP Panaon) successfully conducted the Research Development and Capacity-Building Workshop on Partnership Development and Scholarly Communication on May 20–21, 2026, as part of the second tranche of the Research and Development Leadership (RDLead) Project. The two-day activity reinforced the University’s commitment to strengthening its research culture, enhancing faculty research competencies, and expanding collaborative research initiatives.
The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Fe Estepa, RD Leader under the RDLead Project, who led a series of lectures, workshops, and consultation sessions focused on research planning, partnership development, scholarly communication, and publication readiness.
The first day began with a review of each department’s accomplishments relative to the University’s research roadmap. Faculty representatives presented their research initiatives, assessed progress toward institutional targets, identified implementation challenges, and discussed strategies to strengthen research productivity and ensure alignment with the University’s research priorities.
Dr. Estepa also conducted a session on the development of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), emphasizing their role in establishing formal partnerships with external organizations. Participants then engaged in a workshop on drafting MOAs and MOUs using institutional templates and guidelines to strengthen their capacity to initiate collaborative research and extension projects.
On the second day, Mr. Marfy Lita of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) under the RDLead Project facilitated a consultation on NRCP membership applications and research funding opportunities. Faculty members were introduced to priority research areas aligned with national development goals and encouraged to pursue externally funded research initiatives that support institutional research and innovation.
Dr. Estepa likewise discussed the importance of translating research findings into evidence-based policy recommendations. She emphasized that research should extend beyond scholarly publication by informing decision-making and addressing societal needs through effective stakeholder engagement and knowledge dissemination.
Another session focused on strengthening participants’ oral research presentation skills. Drawing from experiences in national and international conferences, Dr. Estepa shared practical strategies for designing effective presentation materials and communicating research findings clearly to diverse audiences.
The workshop concluded with individual manuscript consultation sessions, during which participants received expert guidance on manuscript organization, scientific writing, journal selection, and publication requirements. These consultations provided faculty members with valuable recommendations for improving the quality and publication readiness of their research outputs.
Through the workshop, participants enhanced their competencies in research planning, partnership development, scholarly communication, research funding, policy engagement, and scientific publication. The activity forms part of USTP Panaon’s continuing efforts to cultivate a strong research culture and empower faculty members to produce high-quality, impactful research that contributes to institutional growth and national development priorities.
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