Three papers and two posters presented by MMSU and ILAARRDEC researchers emerged top winners in the  24th National Convention of the Philippine Association of Research Managers (PhilARM) held at the Amigo Terrace Hotel in Iloilo City in April.

The paper of the  Affiliated Renewable Energy Center (AREC) entitled “Participatory research and development management for community-based renewable energy systems” and  “Research-industry partnership management in the renewable energy sector” authored and presented by Dr. Carmelo J. Esteban bagged the first and second places, respectively. These papers were co-authored by Dr. Zenaida H. Esteban, Prof. Ruben J. Dabalos, and Ms. Irma P. Acebedo.

The first paper discussed the management processes in the engagement of paramanagers in the conduct of participatory research and technology management (PRTD) for communities. The discussion focused on the experience in the PRTD as applied in the renewable energy sector with emphasis on community based systems particularly on micro-hydroelectric, solar energy, and biogas energy systems.

The second paper presented a deliberate and logical model forwarded as the Renewable Energy Systems Partnership Management (RESPM) Framework, a partnership management approach and strategy consisting of a systematic specification and detailing of intentions and actions in the pursuit of collective goals and objectives.  The operations of the framework, with implications of their contributions to enriching the theory and principles of and their significance to the practice of managing research and industry partnership in the energy sector, were discussed in detail.

On the other hand, the paper on dragon fruit entitled “R&D management practices in introducing and promoting dragon fruit s&t to rural areas for resilient agriculture” authored by Mr. Leonardo T. Pascua, and presented by one of the co-authors, Prof. Love Grace D. Campano, garnered fourth place. The other authors were: Prof. Maura Luisa S. Gabriel, Dr. Marivic M. Alimbuyugen, Ms. Mercy Fausta R. Gano, Ms. Lolita M. Raposas, Mr. Richard F. Guinsatao, and Dr. Miriam E. Pascua.

The paper focused on the R&D management practices that have been employed in introducing and promoting dragon fruit S&T. It highlighted the mainstreaming of R&D directions as part of priority setting; building partnership with the local chief executives, head of agencies, and organizations in the province; the  creation and mobilization of project management staff as organizational dynamics scheme; the sharing of resources especially on the establishment of demonstration sites;  and on the problem solving dynamics.