TAU College of Education mentors the junior faculty on research capability and extension services

The College of Education’s senior faculty and department chairs spearheaded a virtual Capability Training for new and junior faculty of the college to discuss the research and extension agenda of the university last April 16.

The department chairs discussed the research and extension programs initiated by the college, as well as the impact of these collaborative efforts in the lives of the community partners of TAU.

Dr. Lynn Michelle Gorospe, the chair of Science Technology and Mathematics Education, delivered her inspirational message through a short poem about the challenges in doing research.

According to her, “Doing research and extension, special mention on research, is not a walk in the park. You really have to exert a lot of extra effort and spare some of your precious hours.”

“There will be obstacles, but rewards will out-weigh them.” Dr. Gorospe added, looking back to what she went through during her junior years in the University, and shared the fulfillment of reaping the fruits of the seeds she sowed.

Director Dr. Mariel Caguioa of Research & Development (R&D) shared the research agenda of the university, particularly the research initiatives of the College of Education. She explained the Research and Development Roadmap for the year 2021 to 2025 to set the faculty’s expectations and ensure the alignment of their research. Dr. Caguioa explained to the junior faculty that they might get overwhelmed hearing the plans of the university to contribute in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and NEDA’s Ambisyon Natin 2040. However, she advised them to involve themselves in research would definitely benefit them and their career in the academe.

Chief Analyn Diane P. Silverio of CEd Research and Extension Units explained College Research Agenda based on the National Higher Education Research Agenda (NHERA) and on the Basic Education Research Agenda. Mrs. Silverio further discussed the CEd Research Agenda pertaining to TAU, which stands for Teaching and Learning Improvement, Assurance of Quality Education, and Undertaking Sustainable Development Studies. She added however that targets are supposed to be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals due to the changes in the educational system brought by the pandemic.

On the other hand, Chair Myrje J. Patricio of the CEd Extension Unit presented the CEd Targets in Extension Area for the year 2021. She encouraged the faculty’s involvement by sharing their skills, care, love, and time to the community and the environment, referring to service as the heart and soul of the university’s mission and that is to promote sustainable livelihood and provide innovative technologies that would help many poor Filipino families.

Meanwhile, Assistant Dean Marlon B. Espedillon discussed about the EDUKARAVAN in connection to the wagons to mobilize the college programs prompting the neophytes to join. The assistant dean reiterated that doing the research and extension is indeed not a walk in the park. However, the junior faculty should not walk alone since they can always reach out to their seniors and colleagues in raising their concerns and plan together to become effective not only as conveyors but also as agents of the college.

Lastly, Dean Dr. Arlene V. Tomas reiterated the benefits of the research and extension programs to the development of the university in delivering higher learning and training programs that would alleviate the quality of lives of Filipinos.

Dean Tomas emphasized that apart from the benefits of their engagement in research and extension programs of the university, they should realize that their purpose, as public servants, is to help others, which will also help themselves in the process. Quoting Buddha, “If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path,” Dr. Tomas reminded all the faculty apropos the heart of sharing and that to SERVE means to Sharing, Extending help, Reaching-out, Venturing, and Enjoying in doing it for others.

The meeting is part of a series of proposed training-workshop on research and extension scheduled for 2021. (LQSobravilla, CED)