The academe has traditionally been the primary source of the world’s expansion of knowledge and innovations. It promotes research excellence for technological, social, economic, political, and moral advancement anchored on evidence-based findings. Research has always been at the cornerstone of the conversion of ideas into realities, with an emphasis on sustainability. The academe, as a vehicle for embracing research, engages in the craft through a blend of social, technological, economic, political, and moral perspectives that are anchored on evidence-based premises, assessments, and findings. Accordingly, research has become the lifeblood of the market of ideas and the impetus for development among the people in the academe and any other field.
Research precedes development, and the quality of research that the academe undertakes combines the intrinsic generation of knowledge and the extrinsic impact on the educational quality that is nurtured. Aligned with the University’s objectives, the drive for research is anchored on promoting “intellectually-cultured individuals who are able to rationally and eloquently communicate their ideas and appreciate the arts as reflections of the infinite beauty of God.” Moreover, the drive for research is designed around enriching “culturally conscious individuals who value heritage earned by past generations, enriching it by promoting desirable traditions and rendering authentic service to the Church and the country for the common good.” In line with the cognizance of culture, the enrichment of “technically proficient individuals who are superior in useful skills in the practice of professions” would then further nurture “socially concerned individuals who are sensitive and responsive to the needs of the marginalized sector of the community and the society,” which would eventually prompt research to create “scholarly leaders of science who extend the frontiers of knowledge through experimentation and verification bringing about a deeper evaluation of problems that will make them see profoundly the synthesis of faith, reason, culture, and life.”
Cognizant of these considerations and challenges as “an Augustinian Recollect Center of Learning which makes knowledge (Scientia) a structure of wisdom that leads one to the exercise of love (Caritas),” (Memorandum No. 123 Series SY 2015-2016), the Research and Development Office (RDO, formerly known as Research, Planning and Development Office [RPDO]) of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Incorporated (UNO-R, Inc.) was organized to produce research outputs whose quality meet the international research standards by institutionalizing research activities that promote and develop the culture of research excellence in collaboration with external organizations and other research institutions.
Moreover, as integrated into the University’s Quality Statement, it is evident that research maintains an integral function, as it is noted that the commitment of the institution is to “enrich existing academic programs and broaden knowledge through functional, ethical researches while producing and protecting items with intellectual property, for the authentic good of individuals and society.”