Ongoing hands-on activity during the Financial Management module topic (Image credit: Hannah Lyn E. Carandang, SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
In pursuit of continuous improvement in knowledge and expertise in research and development (R&D) management and the development of vital soft skills for efficient and effective project leadership, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) hosted a week-long training for emerging researchers last July 15–19, 2024. Organized by the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD), the event took place at the E.O. Tan Hall of DOST-PCAARRD in Los Baños, Laguna. The five-day training covered DOST-PCAARRD R&D management fundamentals and crucial-skills topics such as, project management, strategic leadership and management, impact assessment, financial management, and communication.
The participants were familiarized with the DOST-PCAARRD protocols and processes and their competencies were enhanced through lectures and hands-on activities.
Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, Director of SERD at DOST-PCAARRD, welcomed the participants and shared his experience of being mentored during his earlier years at the Council.
The participants had a photo opportunity with Dir. Cezar R. Pedraza, Director of Planning and Evaluation Service, DOST-Central Office after the lecture topic on Project Management. (Image credit: Hannah Lyn E. Carandang, SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The activity emphasized the significance of intergenerational knowledge transfer mechanisms, focusing not only on knowledge, skills, and expertise but also on valuable insights that can only be learned through long-term experience from the COELs members. Serving as mentors were experts and COELs members, Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas, Dr. Edwin C. Villar, and Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando; Dir. Cezar R. Pedraza of Planning and Evaluation Service, DOST-Central Office, Dr. Milagros A. Rimando formerly of National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera Administrative Region (NEDA-CAR), and Dr. Alessandro A. Manilay formerly of College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños (CEM-UPLB). Chief Accountant Ms. Jaivee Ann M. Tabadero coached them on the in-house financial management of PCAARRD-GIA projects. This collective expertise ensured a comprehensive learning experience for all the participants.
Dr. Nonawin Lucob-Agustin, a Balik Scientist hosted by PhilRice, presented to the mentors her capsule proposal that was awarded as the Best Capsule Proposal developed during the activity. (Image credit: Hannah Lyn E. Carandang, SERD, DOST-PCAARRD).
A total of 20 participants came from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, University of the Philippines Visayas, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University, Bicol University, Northwest Samar State University, and the Visayas State University who also represented the Southern Tagalog Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research, Development, and Extension Consortium (STAARRDEC), Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), and MiMaRoPa Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (MAARRDEC). The Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) also participated in the training.
The activity concluded with five-minute presentations of the developed capsule proposals, wherein the participants applied their learning and effective practice of the ‘kuwento na may kwenta’ to produce quality outputs, while the mentors provided valuable feedback to further improve them. These inputs will serve as references for the participants as they pursue proposed projects. The training also highlighted the importance of project management, demonstrating the practical application of their roles as managers or leaders.
This initiative is one of the DOST-PCAARRD’s mentoring activities that provide unique learning experience to its targeted participants by indulging them on a collaborative and engaging platform as the next future R&D leaders in their own respective fields of expertise.