Unlocking the unknown of the universe and finding out answers of every problem that affect peoples lives has been regarded by educationists as the role of research. Hence, Higher Educational institutions (HEIs) are tasked to generate and disseminate knowledge through research activities. The Higher Education Act of 1994 (R.A.7722), which established the Commission on Higher Education, mandates the Commission to: (1) formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, programs and research on/in higher education; (2) recommend to the executive and legislative branches priorities and grants on higher education and research; (3) develop criteria for allocating additional resources for research; and (4) direct or redirect purposive research by institutions of higher learning to meet the needs of agro-industrialization and development. The Commissions Long Term Higher Education development Plan also states that “Research priority disciplines and key areas shall be pursued not only for improving instructional programs but also for advancing inventions and technologies,” (NHERA, 1998-2007). Another important justification for the conduct of research in higher education institutions rests on the fact that research generally precedes development. The economic, social, cultural and political advancements have their basis on research. The Commissions four (4) major thrusts of quality and excellence, access and equity, relevance and responsiveness, and efficiency and effectiveness are seen to result in the generation of technology-directed, innovative/creative, locally responsive and globally competitive research. In line with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Research Agenda, the Northwestern University administration created the University Center for Research (UCR) on April 16, 1998 through the initiative of Prof. Evelyn V. Baraoidan who served as the first Director. The creation of the University Center for Research completed the triad functions of Higher Educational Institutions, which are instruction, research, and extension. VisionThe University Center for Research is envisioned to develop research-oriented faculty, staff and students who can conduct quality research projects that generate outputs which would enable the Filipinos to meet the challenges of the new millennium, locally and globally. MissionThe University Center for Research is committed in searching for new knowledge and wisdom to keep abreast with constant changes happening in the world. This keeps the NWU community to be dynamic, hence the global attainment of academic excellence and global competitiveness. Goals and ObjectivesThe University Center for Research set the following goals and objectives:
Three Divisions of the UCRThe University Center for Research has three divisions, namely: Research Division, Publication, and Educational Management Information System. ResearchThe Research Division oversees all research activities of the institution, which includes the research process and publication, among others. PublicationThe research papers/articles are officially published in a research journal. The editing is a joint function of the Director and Head Researcher of the paper concerned while the other aspects will be done by a managing editor. The journal is primarily for the publication of institutional research, papers from other sources may also be published, subject to the approval of the U University President. Educational Management Information System (EMIS)The Educational Management Information Service takes care of data base build up, analysis, data control, programming and project management. It assists graduate and undergraduate students in their thesis/dissertation writing. The EMIS has been created also to facilitate data gathering and retrieval whenever necessary and to maximize the facilities and human resources of the University. However, the retrieval of confidential data shall be limited; clearance from officers will be required. Theses/Dissertation ServicesThe following services are offered to the clientele: encoding, printing, programming, editing and consultancy. Clientele include undergraduate and graduate students of Northwestern University. Students from other institutions may be considered. To avail with the above services, the students shall follow the procedure below:
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