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Research and Development in 2006

Research at universities continuously becomes a significant yardstick that determines the quality and competency of a particular university or college. The expectations, specifically for public higher educational institutions in terms of research become stiffer as the country moves into the new age of empowered information-driven economy. The challenge in R&D is never ending. The national government is continuously rationalizing state universities and colleges in the country. Such activity is implemented by State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Leveling and Normative Financing, which clearly poses competency in research as a key indicator, mostly second to the quality of instruction.

The year 2006 marks the beginning of new epoch for the R&D at TUP. The new thrusts of the University for the years 2006 to 2010 have been finalized and approved by all constituents in the University. At the start of 2006, the University Research and Extension (UREC) Council, as the highest governing body in University R&E significantly approved 99 faculty programs/projects, which supposedly should be conducted/implemented for the year thereof.

A total of 21 faculty research projects were completed in TUP. The TUP Cavite has contributed the most number of completed projects with 33% or 7 research projects completed.

Highlights of Research and Development
The highlights of the University R&D in 2006 are spelled out in the following areas: (1) research on jatropha curcass or tubang bakod as potential fuel source; (2) establishment of strong and meaningful linkages with identified R&D institutions, agencies, or parties; (3) dissemination of research results; (4) faculty researchers granted with research loads; and (5) faculty granted with incentive in publication; and (6) R&D awards for 2006.

Research on Jatropha Curcass or Tubang Bakod as Potential Fuel Source
The year 2006 was a success in terms of establishing strong linkages for the conduct of research on biodiesel. In fact, the University forged alliances through signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Asian Biofuels Corporation in June 2006 and Strategic Alliance for Modernization of Agriculture and Social Advancement (SAMASA) in December of the same year. The Asian Biofuels Corporation business is engage in the production of bio-renewable fuels specifically jatropha plant and oil production as biodiesel feedstocks, while SAMASA is a non-government organization involved in uplifting farming communities, which is supported by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

Moreover, a number of researches on the area of renewable energy resources are currently conducted at the IRTC. Such activities include the utilization of jatropha as potential fuel source through design and fabrication of processing equipment and testing. In this concern, a number of private entities have already signified their interests in collaborating with TUP, which include the Philippine National Oil Company’s Alternative Fuel Company.

Establishment of strong and meaningful linkages to identified R&D institutions, agencies, or parties
Included also in the thrusts of the University on R&D is the establishment of strong and meaningful linkages to identified R&D institutions or centers. In this area, TUP has successfully established research collaborations with UPNCTS, Meriam College and Don Bosco in the conduct of research project entitled “Technology Option for Two-Stroke Engines”. Likewise, the University also participated in the South Manila Inter-Institutional Consortium Project on Students’ Study Habits.

Dissemination of Research Results
Another thrust in the institutional research and development agenda of TUP for years 2006 to 2010 is the dissemination of research results. Annually, the University publishes the outputs of its faculty and student researchers in the Philippine Journal of Industrial Education and Technology (PJIET). For 2006, a total of 6 articles were published in PJIET issue 2005, numbers 1 and 2.

On the other hand, aside from the researches in renewable energy, currently, the strength of the University in the area of research is also directed towards the development of cost-effective equipment, technologies, and processes in support of agro-industrial productivity, industries and SMEs, and microelectronics. Last July 2006, the University participated in the DOST’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) 2006. During the weeklong exhibit, TUP exhibited six (6) research outputs from the College of Industrial Technology, Integrated Research and Training Center, and TUP Taguig campus. The presentation of TUP in the said fair called the attention of the public to the result of research projects undertaken in the University. This was clearly manifested by the interests shown by various entities, which included television networks and publications, who visited TUP to showcase the prototypes developed at the College of Industrial Technology, College of Engineering, and TUP Taguig campus. ABS-CBN’s morning program Magandang Umaga Pilipinas first presented in their show the several prototypes of the said colleges/campus in August of 2006. The newspaper “Business Mirror” likewise featured the student research entitled “Electric Meter using Prepaid Card”.

In addition, the University also participated in the 3rd Innovations Expo 2006 held in September 27 to 29, 2006 at Gapan, Nueva Ecija. TUP with its mandate to disseminate research results presented quality research prototypes developed in its different campuses to local secondary students, teachers, and school administrators of different provinces and cities within/near Nueva Ecija.

Faculty Researchers granted with Research Load
Most of the faculty researchers find it difficult to accommodate the conduct of research due to full-time teaching load assignments. In order to provide opportunity for the conduct of such activity within their regular loads, a number of faculty members with UREC approved research projects were given three (3) hours per week research loads in lieu of a particular teaching assignment. For the first semester of SY 2006-2007, a total of five (5) faculty researchers were given research loads. For the second semester of SY 2006-2007, more faculty researchers availed the grant for research load. A total of 14 faculty researchers were given research loads distributed per college as follows: 1 from the College of Industrial Technology, and 13 from the College of Science.

Faculty Granted with Incentive in Publication
The first recipient of the BOR approved incentive for publication was Dr. Melito Baccay, a faculty in the Civil Engineering Department of the College of Engineering in TUP Manila. Dr. Baccay received P40,000 for publishing his article entitled “Influence of Cement Type and Temperature on the Rate of Corrosion of Steel in Concrete Exposed to Carbonation” in Corrosion, an international publication in the United States of America listed in Thompson’s ISI refereed journals.