RESEARCH is an integral part of the University.
This is what acting Rector Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. stressed in his message during the Research/Creative Works and International Publication Awards last March 13 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex auditorium.
“In international universities, if you are a researcher, you are highly regarded. Sadly, there are over 2,600 faculty members in UST and yet few are only interested in research. This low volume of research output may reflect the actual interest of the University to engage in research,” De la Rosa said.
However, De la Rosa, who spearheaded plans for the construction of the research complex when he was rector in 1991, underscored the University’s commitment to foster a better research environment in the Dominican-run institution.
“Every year, UST allots 70 million for research including the maintenance of the TARC. Maybe it is because research also took a long time to really be part of the UST culture, but with researchers like you around, I am at ease that research will continue in the University,” De la Rosa said.
Through the efforts of the Office for Research and Development, UST honored its outstanding researchers and creative writers with gold series, silver series, and international publication awards.
The gold and silver series are granted based on faculty members’ research publications, research involvement, and tenure in the University. The international publication award is presented to faculty members for their research productivity and publication of their work in international journals.
Prof. Marilyn Mabini, assistant to the rector for research and development, said the awards aim to inspire budding researchers to aim for excellence in their respective fields of expertise.
The first gold and silver series awards program started in 1998 covering school years 1994 to 1996. In 2001, UST, which ventured on building a long-term research culture with globalization as a key result area, introduced the international publication award to further strengthen the research tradition of the University, Mabini said.
Also considered in the selection of recipients were the faculty members’ achievements within the period June 2004 to May 2006 recorded in the biennial research report for 2004 to 2006, duly validated by stringent peer reviews and research committees composed of Mabini and heads of various research centers in the University.
Recipients of both the gold series and international publications awards were Allan de Guzman, Praxedes dela Rosa, Sandra Teresa Victorio-Navarra, Raymond Rosales, and Fortunato Sevilla III. The international and silver series winners were Ma. Alicia Aguinaldo, Ma. Cristina Ramos, Jose Sollano, and Camilla Vizconde.
The other gold series awards recipients were Leilani Mercado-Asis, Ma. Minerva Patawaran-Calimag, Ophelia Dimalanta, Ma. Natalia Dimaano, Maribel Nonato, John Donnie Ramos, Emily Tan, and Mafel Ysrael.
The silver series honorees were Alvin Ang, Joyce Arriola, Clarence Batan, Marieta Baysa, Emilyn Cabanda, Clarita de Leon-Carillo, Gil Cauyan, Belinda de Castro, Ma. Eloisa de Castro, Ma. Alexandra Iñigo-Chua, Editha Fernandez, Ernesto Gonzales, Jaime Jimenez, Rosie Madulid, Manuel Maximo del Castillo-Noche, Lysander Anthony Padilla, Edward Quinto,and Esmeralda Sanchez.
Sevilla, dean of the College of Science, emphasized that a University cannot exist without research.
“A university cannot be considered a ‘university’ unless it engages in research. The primary purpose of a university is to teach, to research, and to do community development,” Sevilla said. “Through research, it reflects that UST is determined in upgrading its knowledge and teaching quality. Also, research contributes to community development through discoveries of new knowledge.”
Meanwhile, the Office for Research and Development plans to implement new criteria for the awards starting next year to entice more faculty members to engage in research, De la Rosa said.
“I, myself, am very interested in research. If our tribe will increase then I would consider it as my greatest achievement,” De la Rosa said. With reports from Alena Pias P. Bantolo
