The OVCRD Report (May 2011-April 2014).2.10.14 | Page 76

Conclusion

Convergence. Stewardship. Expansion.
These three themes of th nd-of- erm
eport encapsulate the key approaches
through which the OVCRD, under the
leadership of Vice-Chancellor Benito M.
Pacheco, pursued its mandate of promoting
and enhancing research and creative work by,
and in, UP Diliman during the administration
of Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma. In turn, these
three processes articulate the ethos upon
which OVCRD’s initiatives re based: to be
inclusive, proactive, and innovative.
Inclusiveness is the driving spirit of
Convergence, envisioned to result in a
heightened appreciation of the
interconnectedness of research and creative
work, of art and science, and of different
disciplines that have been conventionally
viewed as separate and distinct. Multi- and
cross-disciplinal collaborations have been a
feature of R&D in the University; the challenge
was how to increase and strengthen these
collaborations. The OVCRD responded to this
challenge in two main ways. First, it provided
more venues for information sharing and
dialogue among researchers and creative
workers, which included colloquia, public
exhibitions, publications, and audio-visual

presentations. Researchers, creative workers,
and specialists from different disciplines came
together, exchanged experiences and insights,
and explored future partnerships. The OVCRD
facilitated the latter through its second
response – that of increasing the number and
amount of grants for research and creative
work.
Inclusiveness also meant addressing the
challenge of giving greater visibility to two
groups of R&D stakeholders: the creative
workers and the REPS. In line with this, the
OVCRD launched Stewardship and Expansion
initiatives that allowed more creative workers
to avail of the Creative Work Load Credit
(CWLC) and the Research Dissemination
Grant (RDG). Meanwhile, for the REPS, an
additional award – besides the Gawa