Mariano Marcos
State University

DOST-PCHRD trains MMSU researchers in HERDIN Research Camp

By Paulene Paglumotan, Stephanie Camille Ilar

The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research (DOST-PCHRD) conducted a Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN) Research Camp at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Center for Flexible Learning (CFL) on October 2.

Established by DOST-PCHRD, HERDIN is a health-related research database and collaboration platform for higher education institutions (HEIs) and research and development institutions. It is designed to collect, organize, and disseminate research information, thereby increasing access to health information systems to improve the quality of life for Filipinos.

MMSU was encouraged to actively participate in the system, not only to improve information circulation but also to avoid unintentional duplication of research studies. With this, the workshop equipped faculty researchers with the necessary knowledge on how to utilize HERDIN effectively.

The training included presentations from HERDIN Team, with Team Lead Maria Violeta Intia discussing the PCHRD services, overview, and partnership; Regional Coordinators Alyza Ganon and Ms. Angelique Regio on account creation and search; Donavie Flores on access levels; and NCR Coordinator & Training Lead Grace Ruth Daulat on the workshop and research forum.

The workshop aimed to capacitate university researchers to use HERDIN as a repository for research studies. It was attended by faculty members from the College of Health Sciences (CHS), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Medicine (COM), College of Dental Medicine (CDM), College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), as well as staff from the MMSU - Research Directorate, Information Technology Center (ICT), Office for Research Ethics, University Library System, and Health and Wellness directorate.

Before the workshop, DOST-PCHRD delegates, accompanied by Research Ethics Chief Mari Elaine Lorica and Mr. James Sacalamitao, paid a courtesy call on MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. to discuss the possibility of employing HERDIN in the university.

As a partner of DOST-PCHRD, MMSU will contribute to health-related research to HERDIN, facilitating increased access and improving the dissemination of health research.

Officially recognized as the National Health Research Repository, HERDIN was established in 1983, and was institutionalized in 2013 through the Republic Act 10532.