The UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) held its annual Research and Extension Coordinators’ Workshop on September 6. The activity brought together around 50 R&E coordinators from various UPLB units to discuss the latest updates in managing research and extension activities in the University.

Each unit in UPLB has designated R&E coordinators. They often connect with stakeholders, internal or external clients, and serve as intermediary and guide of their units regarding R&E-related policies and activities of the university.

A key topic of the workshop was on clarifying common inquiries about the REPS and Faculty Service Records (RSR/FSR). Percival James Natural, a university researcher from OVCRE’s Knowledge Management, Extension, and Public Service Section (KMEPSS), briefly presented the guidelines on RSR/FSR, which are documents crucial for evaluating the workload and productivity of faculty members and REPS, and for informing decisions on appointments, promotions, tenure, and incentives.

Rosalie Orma, also from KMEPSS, emphasized the importance of project registration. She explained that all internally-funded UPLB projects must be registered with OVCRE to ensure proper documentation, monitoring, and crediting of workload.

The workshop also highlighted the results of a community needs assessment (CNA) being conducted since 2023 by OVCRE’s extension unit in partnership with the Municipality of Bay, Laguna. 

Lean Ramilo and Jose Elmo Azores, both from OVCRE, presented the CNA findings, which led to discussions on potential collaborations with other UPLB units to develop programs and services that address the identified issues in Bay.

In the afternoon, Czarlina Magnata, university extension specialist and head of OVCRE KMEPSS, introduced the RDE Portal, a new digital platform designed to streamline and improve R&E processes. The portal will serve as a central hub for managing and monitoring projects throughout their lifecycle, from proposal development to completion.

Participants had the opportunity to test the portal’s features, including the Online FSR and Output Reporting System, which aim to automate the submission of RSR and FSR of UPLB REPS and faculty members. The participants were able to provide feedback and suggestions to improve the new systems.

Developed by OVCRE staff and the UPLB Digital Transformation Team, these systems are part of the University’s Enterprise Architecture Plan, and are expected to automate and simplify the processes involved in conducting research and extension activities at UPLB. (Ana Margarita Palma and Jose Elmo Azores)