To recalibrate the Aurora State College of Technology’s (ASCOT) Research Agenda and to revise the College’s Research Manual according to the current needs of the community amidst the new normal, the College’s Research and Development Office held a two-day Stakeholders’ Meeting at the Accreditation Hall, General Education Building, March 8-9.

Focusing on the presentation and recalibration of the College’s Research goals with the stakeholders present from different sectors, the first day of the meeting started with presenting the RnD Office’s Mission and Vision by the College’s Research and Development Office Director; Mrs. Maria Chrstina B. Cañada.

On the other hand, after Director Cañada presented the College’s overall research goals, the Research Coordinators from the College’s different Academic Departments presented the key areas for research of their respective departments.

Moreover, the Research Coordinators from different departments, including the Departments of Arts and Sciences, Education, Graduate Studies, Information Technology, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Industrial Technology, Engineering, and Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, presented their proposed improvements and revisions on the previous recommendations on each department’s Research Agenda included in the current Research Manual.

After each presentation, an open forum immediately followed for the invited stakeholders and participants from different sectors and industries to give their comments and suggestions on how the College will improve its long-term goal of effectively acing the field of research not only for its faculty members but also for the development of the whole community.

In addition, they also suggested other possible researchable areas in each field that may be added to the departments’ research agenda, making sure that these will contribute to the improvement of the body of knowledge and meet the demands of the industry.

On the second day, the revision of the ASCOT Research Manual was the main agenda. Dr. RB J. Gallego, Director of the Graduate Studies Department and the College Research Ethics Committee chairman, presented the College ethics guiding principles for further improvement.

Lastly, Mr. Charles R. Velasco, Science Research Assistant, presented the Research ISO procedures for the stakeholders and the Research Coordinators to give their additional comments and suggestions on how the RnD Office could improve more in rendering their services that will cater to the needs of their target clientele following the qualifications and standards provided by the ISO.

Each department invited stakeholders from different public and private sectors outside the College in the field connected with their respective courses and specializations. Present in the meeting were Engr. Ravenal De Jesus of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Aurora Provincial Office; Mr. Marlon M. Sumait from the Wesleyan University-Philippines; Mrs. Maria Carmen Muralla and Dr. Cris Dan S. Barcelo of the Department of Education, Schools Division Office of Aurora; Mr. Jagger Enaje from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 3- Dipaculao; Engr. Dexter Reyes from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Baler; Forester Manilyn Gonzales of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)-Aurora; and Dr. Marivic Pajaro from Daluhay.

As the final output of the two-day meeting, the research agenda and manual will be revised by incorporating the inputs given by the participants, Research Coordinators, and the stakeholders. The revised Research Agenda and Manual will be subject to the approval of the College’s Board of Trustees.