There may be various factors critical to the successful implementation of Research and Development Programs, but two elements remain constant – human resources and facilities.
In 2017, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) invested ₱10 million to improve the Science Research Laboratory (SRL) of the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) to help its fisheries biotechnology and postharvest technology activities. With the funds, LSPU upgraded their concrete nursery fish tanks and ponds, repaired and improved the physical state of the SRL, and purchased research equipment critically needed for chemical analyses, microbiology, molecular biology, and general postharvest activities.
After two years, the upgrading of the SRL enabled LSPU to complete the PCAARRD supported projects on milkfish symbiotics and supported eight more R&D projects of different scopes, all contributory to the surge in the University’s R&D activities.
Along with the SRL's facility improvement was the enhancement of the College of Fisheries (COF) experimental fish ponds and concrete tanks for aquaculture studies. The enhanced aquaculture facility paved the way for more R&D projects to be rolled out, including the PCAARRD-funded feeding trials on genetically-improved farmed tilapia, red tilapia, and milkfish.
While the primary purpose of the improved laboratory and aquaculture facilities is for R&D, the said improvement also benefitted the instruction and extension functions of the university.
According to Mr. Christian Paul dela Cruz, LSPU’s Director for R&D, several training-workshops were also conducted as part of the project's aim to enhance the research capabilities of the faculty, particularly those involved in fishery research. He also said that many undergraduate students had their chance to work on their thesis and be trained in advanced research techniques, under the mentorship of the faculty.
Graduate students enrolled in fisheries use the improved laboratory facilities in their course works such as Fisheries Biotechnology, Fish Genetics and Genomics, Genetic Diversity, Advanced Aquaculture, and Fish Product Quality Assurance. Likewise, a total of 13 students (8 undergraduate and 5 graduate) are now conducting their thesis under the on-going R&D projects at SRL, according to dela Cruz.
LSPU also extends the services of its SRL to outside clienteles. On-the-job trainees from other schools and universities and those who need access to the lab facilities for their research work can use the laboratory.
“The influx of external clients only demonstrates the increasing visibility of LSPU as a research institution,” disclosed dela Cruz.
As LSPU envisions itself to becoming one of the country's reputable research institutions, the University continues to empower its faculty members to become better in research. Along with the human resource development, the ripple effect of the DOST-PCAARRD initiative in the improvement of the university’s facilities, is sure to also play a pivotal role.