In the pursuit of achieving a harmonized research and development agenda across higher education institutions (HEIs) in the region, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga Regional Office, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga, successfully conducted the capacity building on research and development planning dubbed as, “Strategic Transformation through Research, Innovation, and Development towards Excellence (STRIDE),” held on July 15-17, 2026 at Watergate Pavilion, Butuan City.
The three-day capacity-building program brought together Research Directors and research leaders from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private higher education institutions (PHEIs) across Caraga. The workshop aimed to strengthen institutional research planning by equipping participants with strategic insights on regional R&D priorities, innovation ecosystems, sectoral research agendas, and research roadmapping. It was further made meaningful with the presence, support and wisdom of Dr. Nelia A. Alibin, Director IV, CHEDRO Caraga, together with Engr. Noel M. Ajoc, Regional Director, DOST Caraga.
Highlighting the first day of the workshop, the Commission’s thrust on strengthening R&D under the 7-Point ACHIEVE Agenda was presented by Dr. Rolyna S. Trugillo, Supervising Education Program Specialist, CHED Caraga. Meanwhile, salient points on the human capital development and R&D priorities identified under the Caraga RDP were presented by Engr. Kris Jane E. De Rama, Supervising Economic Development Specialist, Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Caraga.
Participants engaged in interactive breakout sessions covering the major sectoral research priority areas. These sessions were facilitated by distinguished experts from the DOST system: Dr. Ryan D. Corpuz, S&T Fellow III of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD); Dr. Noel C. Salvoza, S&T Fellow II of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD); Ms. Charmaine Angela B. Trillana, Science Research Specialist II of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD); and Dr. Mariero H. Gawat, S&T Fellow II of DOST Caraga.
Through these collaborative sessions, participating HEIs developed their institutional R&D strategies and formulated actionable research roadmaps aligned with regional and national development priorities.
STRIDE also featured discussions on funding opportunities available through CHED and DOST, including the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), Sustainable Development Goals-Focused Research, Development, and Innovation Grants (SDG-RDIG), and other research and extension grant programs.
A significant milestone of the activity was the establishment of the Caraga Council of Research Directors, a regional network envisioned to foster stronger collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships among HEIs in advancing research, innovation, and sustainable development in Caraga.