SANTA CRUZ, Marinduque — Marinduque State University (MarSU), through its Research, Extension, and Training Department, capped the year with a two-day workshop aimed at updating the Research Manual of Operations. The activity was held on December 12 and 13 at Panuluyan Farmstay in Santa Cruz, Marinduque.
The workshop focused on strengthening institutional research systems and aligning policies with MarSU’s updated vision and mission, as well as with national research and development (R&D) priorities. In-house facilitators led a comprehensive four-phase process, from initial orientation to draft consolidation and planning for final validation.
On the first day, participants were oriented on the scope, timeline, and guiding principles of the manual revision. The Vice President for Research and Extension, who also chairs the Research Council, formally welcomed the participants and delivered the opening message. This was followed by a presentation from the MarSU Research Director, who outlined the existing Research Manual and identified key areas for revision, including the university’s vision and mission, R&D agenda, policies, enumerations, and gaps requiring attention.
To ensure strategic alignment, participants were grouped to review external mandates from various government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). They also examined national R&D priorities under the Harmonized National R&D Agenda.
Phase 2 involved a detailed, section-by-section review of the manual based on updated institutional and national mandates. Working groups focused on key areas, including vision, mission, and core values; R&D management and policies; and monitoring, evaluation, and remuneration. Five interdisciplinary research centers—Health and Food and Nutrition Security; Sustainability, Resilience, and Environmental Justice; Creative Industries and Tourism; Digitization and Innovation; and Quality Education and Lifelong Learning—were also actively engaged in the review process.
During Phase 3, participants drafted new and revised policies based on their analyses. Plenary presentations and discussions were conducted to address major issues, ensure consistency across sections, and refine the proposed revisions. The drafting process emphasized clarity, coherence, and adherence to the principles of a research-driven university and total quality management.
The final phase centered on consolidating the draft manual and setting the process for validation and finalization. The MarSU Research Department, together with research coordinators from various constituent colleges, undertook the review, formatting, and planning for stakeholder consultations involving faculty, staff, and students. A final review by the Research Council (RECO) and the submission of the approved resolution to the Board of Regents were also scheduled.
Beyond the intensive workshop, participants also took part in year-end fellowship activities marked by rest, recreation, and team-building games, attended by the MarSU President, Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta and key university officials. As the year concluded, the research team emerged reinvigorated and motivated, ready to advance MarSU’s research agenda in the coming year and as the second semester begins. -- (Photo: MarSU Research and Extension Office/Dr. Randy Nobleza, MNN)
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