To advocate the Bangsamoro Harmonized Research and Development Agenda in the province, the Ministry of Science and Technology conducted advocacy and consultation meetings, together with state universities and colleges (SUCs), higher education institutes (HEIs), and other research agencies in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on June 15, 2022.

The activity aims to promote the BHRDA with the priority areas for research undertakings. MOST-BARMM R&D Section presented the Harmonized BARMM Research and Development Agenda and the MOST R&D Program and Projects. It is to inform participants about the programs and activities of the agency that they might participate in for possible R & D collaborations and linkages.

Four (4) research institutions participated in the activity. These are Marhardika Institute of Technology Inc., Abubakar Computer Learning Center Foundation Inc., Tawi-Tawi Regional Agriculture College, and Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi Center of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO).

Participants were informed of the R & D funding support of the ministry. They were keen to avail the services.

Engr. Ali Dandamun shared that the R & D funding support is categorized into two that institutions might apply. These are the R & D Multi-Grant and Small-Grant.

“The R & D Multi-Grant funding support is newly-offered for research and development institutions; it amounts to Php 3,000,000.00 while the small grant amounts to Php 1,000,000.00. We have information regarding this and hope you check the requirements.” Dandamun said.

Meanwhile, research institutions raised issues and concerns. They seek the assistance of MOST to address all this. Some of these were lack of information about research and development programs and projects of the ministry, researchers having insufficient training, budding researchers’ opportunities against seasoned researchers, institutional protocol hampered several submission of proposals, and other concerns.

Engr. Moammer Tabara, MOST R & D Head, said that the ministry would do its best to strengthen research and development, information dissemination, and collaborations in the province.

“Through the BARMM Harmonized R & D Agenda, it is our goal to harmonize and strengthen R & D collaborations across the Bangsamoro region. We also seek your cooperation to build resilient linkages among stakeholders in the province,” Tabara said.

Furthermore, the R & D section conducted the activity to consolidate an inventory of research output in the province.

“We are conducting consultations to different institutions across the region as part of our targets to consolidate research output per province so that we can create inventory or database for organized references.” Fredric Cadungog, Science Research Specialist II, shared.

The MOST R & D section, with its commitment to increase the R & D facilities, and resources, consolidate and advocate research and development will conduct several consultations with RDIs, HEIs, and SUCs in the region. It is to maximize the opportunities in establishing partnerships and linkages with the institutions.

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