Recognizing the crucial role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in providing education, research, and extension services, SEARCA and the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is conducting an eight-day training titled “Research Management Course for Executives of Higher Education Institutions” at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Participants presented their respective institution's organizational set-up and factors that contribute or hamper their research mandate.

Dubbed as "RMEx," the course started last August 16 and will last until August 23. RMEx was borne of a discussion between new SEARCA Director Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. and Director of the CHED Office of Policy, Planning, Research and Information Dr. Jean Tayag. Both recognize the need to beef up research productivity and quality in HEIs in the country.

During the opening program, CHED Executive Director Atty. Julito D. Vitriolo said that the course is relevant to CHED's goal of building the research capacities of HEIs. On the other hand, Dr. Saguiguit explained that RMEx is SEARCA's way of pursuing its vision and mission to support universities and faculties in Southeast Asian nations, starting with the Philippines, to attain excellence. He also recognized the fact that the job of HEI managers transcends scientific and technical expertise.

"The course is offered on the premise that beyond disciplinal expertise, success as academic research managers requires strategic thinking and competencies on dealing with people, issues, organizational structural complexities, institutional interrelationship, and resource generation and mobilization," he further explained.

By convening key incumbent and second-in-line research managers in the HEIs under CHED, it is hoped that research productivity, quality, and relevance of research at HEIs towards overall national development is promoted in the long run.

At the beginning of the course, participants were asked to present  their respective organization’s mandate, structure, and impact assessment in terms of national development. This will serve as a benchmark against which the participants would develop an action plan for R&D. The most common research gaps identified by the participants include: lack of research funding, time constraint, lack of research skills and the issue on overloading of teaching units.

The course is divided into four modules namely 1) Leadership and Management of Research in HEIs, 2) Frameworks and Impact Indicators of Research, 3) Research Management, and 4) Research Proposal Writing and Evaluation and the CHED Research Award. Nine resource persons from the academe and research institution are tapped to share their expertise on the subject matter including:

• Dr. Melinda F. Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Management, University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) (Lead Resource Person and Technical Coordinator)
• Dr. Erlinda B. Aromin, Co-Director, CHED-UPLB Zonal Research Center, Region IV and V (Assistant Coordinator)
• Prof. Mario Antonio G. Lopez, Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Management
• Dr. Primo G. Garcia, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management and Development Studies, UPOU
• Dr. Virginia R. Cardenas, Professor and Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
• Dr. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, Professor and Dean, School of Environmental Science and Management, UPLB
• Dr. Tirso B. Paris, Professor of Economics, College of Economics and Management, UPLB
• Dr. Jaine C. Reyes, University Researcher and Affiliate Associate Professor, College of Public Affairs, UPLB
• Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo, Consultant, International Rice Research Institute