The CHED Zonal Research Center for Region 1 and CAR released checks amounting to Php200,000 to the University of Pangasinan and Lyceum-Northwestern University as their first tranche Grants-in-Aid (GIA) budget during the 3rd GIA Consultation Meeting at the MMSU FEM Hall, May 22.

Also handed to Dr. Shiela P. Cayabyab and Prof. Kimferly Ann O. Vidal, representing University of Pangasinan and Lyceum-Northwestern University (L-NU), is their Notice to Proceed with their respective Teacher Education projects. Cayabyab is project leader of the study, \"A Meta Analysis of the Recent Work-Related Researches of BEC Teachers in the Graduate Programs of the Selected HEIs in Region 1 and CAR and their Impact on the Implementation of the Basic Education Curriculum\".

Vidal is study leader in the research titled, \"Matching Teaching Styles of Instructors with the Learning Styles of Students: Its Relation to Academic Performance of

Teacher Education Students in Accredited Teacher Education Institutions in Region 1 and CAR\".

The meeting was also attended by 2008 study leaders, namely: Dr. Erlinda B. Alupias of Benguet State University; Prof. Margarita Hilario of MMSU; and Prof. Sherelle Lou Sumera of Urdaneta City University. The 2008 GIA team members, together with Ms. Wilma A. Marcelino, a project support staff from L-NU, attended the briefing on financial management by Milagros V. Cabuag, chief of the MMSU Accounting Office.

Meanwhile, the Php500,000 budget for the agribusiness project titled, \"Farmers and Consumers’ Attitudes on Organic Farming and Products in Region 1 and CAR\" led by Dr. Floramante C. Pastor of MMSU and Php 311,300 first tranche budget for the project titled, \"Pathways to Inclusion in Modern Retail Markets of Micro, Small and Medium Food Processing Enterprises in Northern Luzon: A Social Capital Approach\" by the late Dr. Klondy T. Dagupen of Benguet State University are already available.

The MMSU proponents may already withdraw money with supporting documents from the University Cashier’s Office while BSU still needs to designate a new project leader who will take over the responsibilities left by the late Dr. Dagupen before CHED ZRC will release their first tranche budget.

\"You may now start spending your budget wisely,\" Dr. Rodolfo A. Natividad, CHED-ZRC director, said to the CHED GIA researchers.

GIA research proposals for 2009 were also evaluated by experts on that day.