ONE in every 10 graduates of the “State University” is from its College of Science, contributing significantly to the former’s standing as the country’s premier higher learning institution (HEI).
In 2022 alone, University of the Philippines-Diliman’s College of Science (UPD-CS) accounted for 331, or 9.52 percent, of UPD’s 3,475 graduates. This helped the HEI as a whole rank 87th in Asia and 18th in Southeast Asia in the recently released 2023 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings, ahead of other Philippine universities.
Helping maintain and improve UP’s premiere status, UPD-CS is mandated to produce internationally recognized graduates, institutional partnerships and research output.
“The college aims to collaborate with [various nongovernment organizations, private entities, state-university colleges, higher education institutions, as well as] local and international institutions in the scientific community to promote and mobilize scientific experts,” explained UPD-CS’s Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, Development and Enterprise Ricky Nellas. “This will serve as a training ground for UP experts, students and staff to fill network engagement between researchers.”
Said college also has 18 active international research collaborations, five of which started just this year, plus another 18 ongoing local partnerships. These were also taken into consideration in UP’s QS score and subsequent ranking.
Moreover, UPD-CS aims to produce industry and government leaders as it transforms itself into a leading research institution in Asia. Apart from strengthening the college’s research projects and partnerships, having a multitier support system for researchers would help achieve these goals, according to Nellas.
“This system should include not only financial coverage, but also holistic activities for the physical, mental, and psychological well-being of researchers,” said the associate dean. “Moreover, CS and the university should partner with lawmakers to improve taxation for researchers, and lobby for tax exemptions for the research-derived honoraria and financial incentives. Alternatively, an increase in research honoraria can be implemented in lieu of tax breaks.”
Nellas added that the most crucial step UP should take is to improve the procurement process needed to establish, operate, and maintain scientific infrastructure and facilities. Restructuring the procurement pipeline for research activities, simplifying requirements, and providing exceptions for specialized needs would help reorganize the procurement process.
“These would greatly accelerate research and alleviate the administrative workloads of both project staff and the faculty. CS and the university could also allow and lobby for the deregulation of research-related contracts to allow our researchers greater flexibility, make procurement efficient, and improve the working conditions of staff and personnel,” he concluded.
Image credits: FB: UPD-CS