“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” This famous quote of Albert Einstein was a simple reminder of the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) Chairperson Dr. Warlito C. Vicente to the aspiring young researchers during the opening day of the 3rd Health R&D Expo conducted last July 29-30, 2013 at the Grand Pilipinas Ballroom, Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.
Now on its 3rd year, with the theme “Intensifying Health Research towards a SMARTER Philippines”, this annual event continues to become an arena for young researchers, faculties, hospitals and other health-related institutions to showcase the health researches they have conducted. There are two competitions carried out both for the Undergraduate and Graduate and Creative Research Category. These are the Poster Exhibit Competition and Oral Health Research Competition.
The exhibit and the competition was formally opened by the RHRDC XI Chairperson Dr. Warlito C. Vicente, DOST XI Regional Director and RHRDC XI Regional Coordinator Dr. Anthony C. Sales, RHRDC XI Research Information and Utilization Committee (RIUC) chairperson Dr. Victoria T. Lupase and the rest of the RIUC members who have spearheaded the event.
During the 1st day, Dr. Anthony C. Sales presented the activities, programs and services of RHRDC XI. He highlighted the funding support offered for proposals that are related to the consortium’s 4 research priority areas namely: Environment and Climate Change, Infectious Disease, Maternal and Child Health and Traditional Medicine.
This was then followed by the lecture of Dr. Warlito C. Vicente on Research: Conceptualization to Commercialization. His research on Tamanu oil and its effect on wounds and skin infections was his example on bringing the research to commercialization. He also reiterated the marketing aspect of research as this area is often forgotten by researchers.
On the second day, the event was graced by Dr. Graciela G. Gonzaga, professor and former dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas, who did a lecture on Phases of Drug Development.
It was then followed by Dr. Lauro T. Gonzales, RX Box2 Project Manager, National Telehealth Center who conducted a lecture on the Health Information System (e-Health) in the Philippines.
A total of 37 entries were received in all categories. The winners were awarded with a medal and a corresponding cash prize. Dr. Victoria T. Lupase, RHRDC XI-RIUC Chairperson, expressed that the consortium plans to compile all researches and publish it into one compendium.
