The Research and Development Division (RDD) leads the University’s efforts in initiating, facilitating, and sustaining gender-responsive research programs, projects, and activities. Guided by a commitment to generate new knowledge and develop or enhance technologies, products, processes, and systems, the Division supports research endeavors that contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic growth and development of both women and men in the community.
Established in 1983, five years after the University’s founding, the Division has since played a pivotal role in cultivating a strong research culture among faculty and staff. Early initiatives included capability-building seminars organized in collaboration with NEDA, DECS (formerly MECS), DOST (then NSTA), and various local higher education institutions in Region XI. These efforts helped ignite scholarly interest and strengthen the foundations of research within the University.
One of the Division’s remarkable milestones was the creation of its first research journal, The Fruit Bowl, which symbolized the University’s aspiration to promote agricultural research and technological advancement. For a decade, The Fruit Bowl published micro-researches on farming systems, socio-economics, and small-scale production, many undertaken with national research coordinating institutions. It also featured abstracts of faculty theses and dissertations, particularly in the field of education.
In 1994, the journal evolved into the Southeastern Philippines Journal of Research and Development (SPJRD), bearing ISSN 0117-6293. Published biannually, SPJRD broadened its scope to cover diverse issues and perspectives on development, marking a significant stride in the University’s scholarly visibility.
From 1993 to the present, the Research and Development Division has continuously expanded its partnerships, linkages, and networks with national and international research institutions and funding agencies. These collaborations have enabled the successful implementation of research programs and projects that uplift communities, inform policy, and drive innovation across various fields.
Today, the RDD remains steadfast in its goal to empower researchers, advance knowledge, and strengthen the University’s position as a leader in transformative research and development.