De La Salle University (DLSU) recently reinforced its commitment to advance research excellence and nation-building by launching technology-driven research programs.
DLSU, a leading learner-centered and research university, aims to make substantive contributions to national and global aspirations. “At DLSU, we understand that quality is the first imperative in research. Our aspirations for real-world impact should have a firm foundation in scientific rigor. We are committed to using our research as a basis for addressing national interest and global challenges, provided that our work meets universally accepted quality standards,” DLSU Vice President for Research and Innovation Raymond Tan said.
Prof. Nilo Bugtai founded the Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies (IBEHT). His team is developing a suite of robots for therapeutic applications, particularly for the rehabilitation of stroke victims. This program is heavily funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and aims to provide affordable, high quality health care solutions for both the Philippine and export markets. “As a comprehensive, nonprofit, private Catholic university in a lower middle-income country, we recognize both the challenges and opportunities in addressing national and global issues. The university’s best minds are actively engaged in research that addresses many of the Sustainable Development Goals,” Tan said.
Research centers
Over the past five years, DLSU has launched several research centers focusing on diverse priority areas or global trends. These include the Andrew L. Tan Data Science Institute (ALTDSI), the Enrique Razon Logistics Institute (ERLI), the Southeast Asian Research Center and Hub (Search), and IBEHT.
The university also established the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) in its Laguna campus, the hub of its research infrastructure enhancements. CIF boasts state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, including a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy laboratory and a wind tunnel, designed to cater to the needs of the research teams, students and partners.
Harnessing AI, data science in research
DLSU also leverages recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster data analysis capabilities. For example, a study by Prof. Allan Bernardo and researchers from ALTDSI used machine learning to analyze large datasets from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The PISA results have raised alarms about the poor state of the country’s education system. Their analysis has yielded intriguing insights. Recognizing the significant impact of the home environment on student performance, the team concluded that effective policy interventions cannot rely solely on the Department of Education (DepEd) mandate. Improving the quality of education will require a “whole of government” approach to the problem.
Moreover, DLSU has made substantial investments in a high-performance computing facility as part of ALTDSI, further augmenting its capacity for AI and data science research. “At DLSU, research is a crucial educational experience for students, offering firsthand insight into the advancement of scientific knowledge. This approach not only enriches students’ understanding but also equips them with transferable soft skills, such as critical thinking and effective communication, which are invaluable for their future careers even if they do not become researchers,” Tan said.
Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration
DLSU believes in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration for addressing complex real-world problems. Integrating perspectives from diverse fields such as arts and social sciences, business, computer technology, education, engineering, law, and natural science reduces the risk of “blind spots” that can result from narrow vantage points.
DLSU supports such collaboration by funding mini-grants and workshops that allow researchers to step out of their specialist silos.
For instance, Bernardo’s multidisciplinary team offers evidence-based insights to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), thus helping shape the country’s educational policies rationally. The team is currently conducting research to address critical problems in the nation’s basic and higher education ecosystem.
Through its partnership with DLSU, Edcom 2 has published five studies on bullying. Bernardo’s team recently recommended that Edcom push for amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10627, advocating for strengthened provisions related to the Child Protection Committee, improved systems for reporting bullying cases, and clarification of the DepEd structures and procedures concerning bullying.
To support its goal of becoming a more influential university, DLSU plans to increase international collaboration and publications in top-tier journals. The university will prioritize research endeavors addressing local issues, such as quality education, poverty alleviation and economic growth, and globally, including climate change, artificial intelligence and health and wellness.
50th anniversary in 2025
In 2015, DLSU revised its mission-vision to become a “learner-centered and research university,” which paved the way for rapid growth in research across the institution. “As we look ahead to the 50th anniversary of our university charter in 2025, our new strategic plan articulates a bold vision to extend our sphere of influence beyond the Philippines,” Tan asserted.
The university continues to invest in its talent pool and its research infrastructure, further solidifying its reputation as a research powerhouse. Its cutting-edge research and innovative problem-solving approaches pave the way for a brighter future, not just in the Philippines but in the region and beyond.
Source:
Manila Times
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