Generate new knowledge, which can contribute to the understanding of natural phenomena and provide beneficial applications. This, in essence is the objective of the “Emerging Interdisciplinary Research (EIDR) Program.”
The program is an initiative of the University of the Philippines System, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and monitored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
The Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) sectors, including biotechnology and genomics, which are all aligned with the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA), are among the research areas of the EIDR program.
The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are implementing the programs and projects under the EIDR. These include initiatives on biochemistry, biotechnology, and genomics.
Tackled in a recently conducted inception meeting in connection with the EIDR at DOST-PCAARRD were the following programs and project:
• Integrative Genomics Analysis Workbench for Rice Science Project;
• Development of Bioactive Cyclotides from Philippine Biodiversity Program; and
• In vitro Release Properties and In vivo Biochemical Activities of Microencapsulated Anthocyanin Extracts Prepared with Duhat (Syzygium cumini (L.)) and Bignay (Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng.) Program
During the meeting, Dr. Edwin C. Villar, Acting Deputy Executive Director for R&D, DOST-PCAARRD, encouraged young researchers and partners from the national R&D network to continually implement R&D projects aligned with the Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA).
“We want to show, we want to see, and we want to listen to good stories, because R&D here at PCAARRD is kwento (story) and kwenta (usefulness),” Villar said.
Expressing her support to the EIDR program, Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, Director of the Crops Research Division underscored the importance of R&D programs and the initiative of budding scientists in improving farmers’ lives.
Evaluators Dr. Hayde F. Galvez and Dr. Florinia E. Merca, both from UPLB, PCAARRD monitoring and evaluation team, as well as representatives from DOST’s Special Projects Division (SPD) and the Planning and Evaluation Service (PES) provided comments and recommendations to improve the implementation of the projects.