DOST-SEI TWG visits CSU for evaluation and ocular inspection

April 13, 2023 – the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), led by its former Secretary, Dr. Fortunato T. Dela Peña, conducted an evaluation and site visit of CSU’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduate programs.

The visit assessed the university's readiness for the Science and Technology Regional Alliance of Universities for National Development (STRAND) program, specifically the Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for R&D Program (STRAND-N). The evaluation covered the following programs: MS Crop Science, MS Biology, MSciEd, PhD SciEd, PhD Math Ed, PhD Math, MS Math, MS Math Ed, and MS Information Technology.

During the evaluation, Dr. Crishelo M. Cabillo presented the MS Crop Science program, while Dr. Rixie P. Magdugo discussed the MS Biology program. Dr. Minie L. Bulay, on the other hand, presented the MSciEd and Ph.D. SciEd programs and Dr. Job H. Domingo introduced the PhD Math Ed, PhD Math, MS Math, and MS Math Ed programs. Finally, Prof. James V. Presbitero presented the MS Information Technology program.

As a result of the evaluation and consultations, Caraga State University was recommended for DOST-SEI STRAND 2 in MS Crop Science, MS Biology, MS Math, and MS IT, and STRAND 1 in MS Math Ed, MS SciEd, and PHDSciEd-Bio, based on the TWG's assessment.

The STRAND-N program aims to develop the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) hosting the NICERs by providing graduate scholarships to their faculty and researchers. This will help strengthen their human resources in specific priority areas addressed by the NICERs. The program will also assess the capacity of HEIs in the regions to serve as delivering institutions for the DOST-SEI Graduate Scholarships. PICO/OUBS