NWSSU, Calbayog City, Samar – The Samar Island Universities conceived a consortium to offer a Ph.D. program by research specifically in engineering and technology. The proposal was initiated by Dr. Ernesto Guades of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), a graduate of the same type of program in Australia. Co-proponent is Ronald L. Orale of Samar State University (SSU) and Dr. Leo Cardenas of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) and UEP. The first formal meeting to discuss matters about the proposed program was held last March 8, 2018. It was attendewd by the proponents and the following; Dr. Marieta Espina, Dr. Romeo Santos, Dr. Getalado and Dr. Pecayo. Also present in the meeting to give insights on how the program will succeed is Engr. Ermie Bacarra of the Philippine Council for Industry, Engineering and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the chief of the Human Resources and Institution Development Division (HRIDD).
The proposed program is an advanced degree course involving three or more years of independent research on an original topic. The Doctor of Philosophy program is a 30-unit program made up of 3 units of approved postgraduate coursework (i.e., Advanced Engineering Research), three units for a Research Proposal to support Confirmation of Candidature and 24 units of independent research within the Candidate’s selected area of study. Students will be guided by one or more expert academic supervisor (one from the delivering institution and an external expert to the research being undertaken) to deliver the expected outputs from them. Requirement for graduation includes publication of at least three papers, one of which is in an Scopus or World of Science journals and/or submit at least three patent and register at least one utility model derived from his/her projects undertaken during the course of the study; present at least three research output in a research conference, at least one which is abroad.
To test run the consortium, the participating HEIs will initially offer Master of Philosophy. It will serve as a preparatory to an eventual offering of the Ph.D. by research program. An MOU to prepare the full-blown proposal, the crafting of the Operation Manual and the writing of the Feasibility Study will be undertaken. This phase shall also be used in building new laboratories and enhancing existing laboratories for the program through the DOST’s Institutional Development Plan to name a few. The compliance to the CHED requirements for new programs is among the first steps in the realization of the plan.
The proposal of Samar Island universities is towards enhancing the S&T/Engineering competence in the region. To date, Region 8 remains to have the lowest number of research personnel in the entire Visayas Region. S&T and Engineering innovation has been proven to be one of the key element affecting development. To date, there is no Ph.D. in Engineering program in the region; most are in education and management. Among all regions in the country, Eastern Visayas is fourth from the bottom in terms of R&D, and most outputs are in education, social science, and management.
The consortium, when realized, will be the first in the country. The program offered will allow Samar island universities to complement instead of competing with each other. The strength of one university will be shared by the other university which is hoped to produce better professionals in engineering and technology that will respond to the need of the communities.
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