The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) concluded its two-day Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) Management and Enhancement Workshop on June 29 at Nieto Hall, NEUST Sumacab Campus, marking a significant step toward developing a comprehensive Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) Manual of Operations that will strengthen governance and enhance management systems across the University.

Organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training (OVPRET) through its Extension Services Department, the workshop brought together chairpersons, project leaders, center heads, and officials of the Research, Extension, and Training (RET) to review existing policies and enhance the University’s research, innovation, and extension operations.

In her keynote message, University President Dr. Rhodora Jugo urged participants to focus on creating meaningful impact rather than simply meeting institutional targets, emphasizing that research, innovation, and extension should work together to address real community needs.

“Research helps us understand the problem. Innovation challenges us to create solutions. Extension ensures those solutions reach the communities we serve. Remove one, and the journey remains unfinished,” she said.

Dr. Jugo stressed that while research outputs, publications, patents, extension activities, and accreditation indicators remain important, they should always support the University’s mission of improving lives through meaningful and community-centered initiatives.

Among the officials present were Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training Dr. Jean Guillasper, Research Director Dr. Marilene Hipolito, Extension Director Dr. Marivic Villegas, Training Director Dr. Marilou Pascual, Planning Director Dr. Kenneth Armas, Curriculum Development Director Dr. Angelo Santos, Management Information System Director Dr. Marlon Torres, and Sumacab Campus Director Dr. Arnold Dela Cruz.

Resource speaker and consultant Mr. Teddy Dizon opened the workshop by setting participants’ expectations and reinforcing their commitment, fostering a collaborative environment for developing an effective and responsive Manual of Operations.

Dr. Guillasper presented the TRANSCEND RIET Agenda and Development Plan 2026–2030, providing participants with a strategic roadmap that aligns the University’s long-term goals for research, innovation, extension, and training while guiding future programs and institutional development.

Meanwhile, Project Leader Prof. Ronaldin Bauat introduced Project AMANDA (Advanced Management Analytics and Neural Semantic Data Repositories for Academe), a secure, role-based digital platform designed to integrate academic records, workflows, research outputs, communication, storage, and analytics into a single system to improve efficiency, strengthen data management, and support evidence-based decision-making.

Throughout the workshop, participants validated the experiences of faculty researchers and extension workers, reviewed the existing Manual of Operations, identified operational gaps, and proposed improvements to research, innovation, extension, and training processes.
Mr. Dizon also facilitated sessions on refining operational procedures, developing implementation strategies, and crafting a monitoring and evaluation framework to support the effective implementation and continuous assessment of future RIE initiatives.

The plenary sessions enabled RET officials and participants to exchange ideas, clarify proposed operational processes, and refine implementation plans and evaluation mechanisms, ensuring that the updated manual reflects both institutional requirements and operational needs.

In her closing message, Dr. Guillasper underscored the value of teamwork and active participation in building a stronger and more sustainable RIE system for the University.

“I believe that everyone’s involvement and immersion are essential because we want everyone to experience and feel that they are part of this process,” she said.

She added that the University will continue implementing initiatives through 2030, including succession planning and capability-building programs, to sustain and strengthen its research, innovation, extension, and training efforts.

The workshop concluded with the drafting of recommendations for the updated RIE Manual of Operations, reflecting the collective ideas and expertise of University officials, faculty leaders, and RET personnel while reinforcing NEUST’s commitment to strengthening governance, improving institutional processes, and delivering research, innovation, and extension programs that create lasting benefits for communities.

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