THE RESEARCH and Development (R&D) Directorate conducted the annual agency in-house review and planning workshop May 29-June 1 at the University Training Center.  About 70 full-time and faculty researchers attended the four-day activity.  

One-hundred six of the 140 research papers scheduled for presentation were reviewed.  The papers contained reports extracted from GAA-funded projects of the university, special projects, and theses/dissertations of faculty members.

Aside from evaluating the R&D projects implemented by the university which is the main purpose of the activity, selection of papers to be presented in the different commodity reviews of the Ilocos Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC) and other research organizations, was, likewise, done.  As such, 41 papers were recommended for presentation in the upcoming reviews. This year, MMSU will host ILARRDEC’s commodity review on legumes, ornamentals, medicinals, vegetables, and bulb and root crops on June 19 at the University High School Audio Visual Room.

The three best papers and the best presenter during the review were further, chosen. These were: “Development of web-based personnel information system for MMSU and other government institutions” by A Barruga, W Francisco, M Barruga, V Catudan, and A Martinez, first place; “Regional trials of promising varieties of vegetables” by M Nalundasan, R Ruguian, and A Dumaoal, second place; and “A decision support system for mapping renewable energy resources in the Philippines” by C Pascual, P Pasion, I Acebedo, F Yadao, N Aguinaldo, and E Pascual, third place.  Dr. Zenaida Agngarayngay was adjudged best presenter. 

To achieve thorough evaluation of the various research papers presented, Dr. Sixto R. Pascua, still the R&D director at the time of the review, invited experts from different fields to compose the panel of evaluators.  One of them was Dr. Santiago R. Obien, former MMSU president and executive director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, who was present during the whole duration of the review.