LS Talks from Philippines - Research in the Philippines

Summary

In this episode of LS Thoughts, hosted by Anton Rojas at De La Salle University, Dr. Raymond Tan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, discusses the state of research in the Philippines. Despite the country lagging behind some ASEAN neighbors, increased government and industry interest have spurred progress. Dr. Tan highlights De La Salle University's commitment to research, noting a five-fold increase in output over the last decade. He envisions future success with innovations in medical technologies, hoping these advancements will benefit the Filipino community and elevate the university's global standing.

Takeaways

• 🎤 LS Talks is a project by the International Association of LaSalle Universities (IALU) to share best practices of Lasallian universities globally.
• 📚 De La Salle University (DLSU) is the only private Philippine institution ranked in the Times Higher Education rankings.
• 🏆 DLSU has been the most productive research institution in the Philippines for five consecutive years, with a strong research output.
• 💡 Dr. Raymond Tan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at DLSU, discusses the growing government and industry interest in research in the Philippines.
• 📉 Despite progress, the Philippines still lags behind some Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, in research capacity.
• ⏳ DLSU’s focus on research dates back to the early 1980s when it invested in human and physical resources to build research capacity.
• 🚀 Over the past decade, DLSU has seen rapid growth in research, with a five-fold increase in output from 2010 to 2019.
• 🏥 DLSU has established research centers, including those focusing on medical technologies, with significant funding from the government.
• 🔬 Dr. Tan hopes that within a decade, one of the technologies developed at DLSU will make it to the market and be recognized as a Lasallian innovation.
• 👥 Dr. Tan emphasizes that the continuation of DLSU's research success depends on institutional commitment and individual dedication to the mission.

Q & A

What is the purpose of LS Talks at De La Salle University?

LS Talks is a project of the International Association of LaSalle Universities (IALU) aimed at sharing the best practices of different Lasallian universities from around the world. It highlights the accomplishments of these universities, such as outstanding professors, notable projects, and other community-driven initiatives.

What makes De La Salle University (DLSU) unique in the Philippines?

DLSU is the only private Philippine institution ranked in the Times Higher Education rankings. Additionally, it has been the most productive research institution in the Philippines for the past several years.

Who is Dr. Raymond Tan, and what role does he play at DLSU?

Dr. Raymond Tan is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at De La Salle University. He is also a university fellow and one of the Philippines' leading researchers.

What is the current state of research in the Philippines according to Dr. Tan?

While there has been increased government and industry interest in research, allowing more resources to be directed toward it, the Philippines is still lagging behind other Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam in terms of research capacity and output.

How did De La Salle University evolve into a research institution?

The transition to becoming a research institution began in the early 1980s under Brother Andrew's leadership. Significant investments were made in human resources and faculty training, with professors studying abroad to gain advanced qualifications and an understanding of international research standards.

What changes have taken place at DLSU in the past decade to boost research output?

DLSU implemented institutional policies, frameworks, and resources to support research. The university also benefited from increased government funding and scholarships, leading to a fivefold increase in research output from 2010 to 2019.

How has DLSU performed in terms of research output compared to other Philippine institutions?

For five consecutive years, DLSU has been the most productive research institution in the Philippines. Dr. Tan expects this trend to continue for a sixth year by the end of 2019.

What future aspirations does DLSU have for its research efforts?

One of DLSU's aspirations is for technologies developed in its labs to enter the market and be recognized as products of Lasallian research. For example, the university has set up research centers for medical technologies and hopes these innovations will benefit public health in the future.

What specific research areas has DLSU focused on in recent years?

DLSU has invested in research centers focused on medical technologies, particularly addressing public health issues in the Philippines. These centers are supported by significant funding from the Philippine government.

What is Dr. Tan's outlook for the future of DLSU's research initiatives?

Dr. Tan is optimistic about DLSU's research future, hoping that the institution will continue to produce innovative technologies and solutions. He envisions these contributions becoming widely recognized as products of DLSU's research in the next decade.