Hotseat

WITH DR. NORA ELIZABETH F. MANIQUIZ

Vice President for Research, Extension, and Linkages

COLLATED BYJANAH CARMELA NG SANG ANDJOHN PAUL BORITO PAGE DESIGN BY CYEN ESCLANDA

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The Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Linkages was created formally amidst the year of pandemic, in August of 2020; where along the several changes in our new normalcy, the University also made REL a separate entity to mobilize productivity and networks through the fused units, which comprise integral functions forming two of the trifocal functions of a university - Research and Extension. Instruction, being another of the trifocal directions of a university is with Academic Affairs. The following units or offices originally comprised the REL: Research Center, Institutionalized Community Extension Services (ICES), Alumni Relations, Student Scholarships and Financial Grants Office, Career Center, and English Immersive Environment (EIE) Office. The latter two were later transferred to Academic Affairs. With the creation of this department, it made more sense and purpose to drive individual goals into one, unified strategic impact.

For starters, students can take part through the crafting of theses, Qresearch or capstone projects anchored on the University Research Agenda which responds to various issues in our community; by actively participating in the several initiatives of ICES to provide tangible assistance to those in greater needs; and to be an ally on networks who have the same values and aspirations as our University. More concretely, A UNCean can participate in the aspirations of REL by becoming a responsible scholar, a productive researcher, and by being an ICES volunteer actively participating in community services. Just like any other office, our challenge is also to do everything as remotely as possible. Although, most of our engagements and activities have to be done face to face in the physical environment, we still find ways to be as impactful and as relevant just the same. In addition to challenges during COVID, there is also the challenge of limited manpower in the REL; some of us must perform different roles simultaneously and efficiently, but we take on these challenges with teamwork and shared vision for the University.

Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, our University President, gave a most fitting attribution to REL as the Heart of the University- and that is also how we see REL; it is The Heart of UNC. As in the human body where the heart is the center of the circulatory system that forms the network of blood vessels responsible to deliver blood and nutrients to every part of our bod, In reality we in REL aspire to be the most vital key in shaping UNCeans as they finish education here in UNC; to mold them not only as professionals but as wellrounded individuals ready to carry on that knowledge and impart them through impactful service to the community. Academic requirement. This is coupled with the common misconception that Research is difficult. Often, students would frown upon the idea of conducting research because it’s a very complicated subject. Yes, it’s not a one-night thing, but research is very interesting. Imagine coming up with a solution to a problem or bridging knowledge gaps, that is surely the win of research. Now that we are able to establish the definition of research in a real sense, we see students developing and creating products, knowledge and innovation through research. They no longer have the notion that researches are meant to sit in the desks of their advisers nor to accumulate dust in the library, but students are now revolutionizing the true purpose of research- they are now extending to their communities, local governments and several agencies for information dissemination and innovation. We are encouraging all UNCeans to engage with REL, as there are many possibilities and opportunities in our department for you to be part of The Heart of UNC. It’s about time to fully immerse yourself in a holistic UNC experience as we will provide you ways of transforming yourself to become future ready as you finish your scaffold foundation in the university. Go beyond yourself. By taking active part in research, extension, linkages and productive scholarships, you are also living out our University Motto of “Non Scholae Sed Vitae, Not for School but for Life.”

Tell us about a quick history of the Research, Extension, and Linkages (REL) department in the UNC. How can UNCeans take part in the aspirations of REL? For research, we were able to forge partnerships with LGUs across Camarines Sur which resulted in several research projects. To cite, we have DOST iSTART program being implemented in LGU Pasacao, now being developed to become a city within five to ten years from now. REL is contributing to the realization of this vision through 7 research projects for the municipality. We also had the chance to work with the 2nd highest office in the country, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) of the Philippines in her Angat Buhay Program where UNC did profiling assessment, housing project management, and skills training for 119 displaced families. Now, we have 2 more LGUs we partnered with OVP to realize more housing projects for households that are usually being affected by typhoons here in Bicol. Highlight of our first year is the several partnerships we have forged with various agencies, such as USAID with STRIDE and the BRIDGE Bicol projects, DTI V, DILG and many more LGUs where we have many projects in the pipeline. We were also able to forge community extension projects with LGUs based on their needs, focusing more on projects that would help address problems on environment and climate change. For student financial assistance, partnerships with the BUKAS, Land Bank of the Philippines and private benefactors were also established. The Alumni Affairs Office has also been active in mobilizing community outreach works especially to displaced communities and individuals affected by the pandemic, in providing financial assistance to students who have financial challenges in connection with their studies, and in advocating the knowledge philanthropy where alumni share their experience and expertise to students to make their learning more attuned to real-life situations.

What are the main challenges that REL faces? And how are they being addressed? In the coming years, how do you like to see the footing of REL within the university? In your experience in the realm of research, what were the common misconceptions about research that students usually think of?

Share us your message/invitation to UNCeans to take an active part in the REL.

QUsing one word, What is the main function of REL? Please explain why. I can give two words: SHARE, because in REL we are the ones who seek opportunities for the benefit of our stakeholders. We SHARE knowledge through research that is designed for community development solutions. Also, we SHARE resources through extension programs that address the existing problems of the community beneficiaries. Furthermore, we SHARE opportunities by expanding our partnerships through linkages with alumni associations, grant-giving bodies, and government agencies that offer scholarships for our students. IMPACTFUL. Through REL, constituents of the University, whether students, faculty or non-teaching personnel, get to produce relevant contributions to the community through research, extension and forming linkages and partnerships with groups of similar vision and purpose. They will not be limited to yielding theoretical knowledge, but they will be able to translate all this knowledge to solutions for the community- whether in the local scale to global scale. What has the department accomplished in its first year after being formed?