To ensure that researchers and their work do not fall short of the strictest standards on data-gathering, data analyses, and treatment of their study population, UP Manila launched the Code for Responsible Conduct of Research during its Science and Technology Week on 23 November 2020. (The two-week event was held online due to the COVID-19 crisis.)

Dr. Edward HM Wang, head of the UPM Committee on Research Integrity, presented to Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla the Code on behalf of the Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and the Committee that was held online. 

Upon receiving the Code, Chancellor Padilla bid Dr. Wang to constitute the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) as early as possible as the University needs a unit which will not only guide people in doing their work, but will monitor the researchers and researches as well. (To know more about the Code, please see the UPM S&T 2020 program book) 

For her part, Dir. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De La Paz of the National Institutes of Health, praised the creation of the Code and the soon-to-be created ORI. “Research integrity is vital because it creates trust and trust is at the heart of the research process. Researchers have a huge responsibility to produce trustworthy data that impact the lives of our people. Our government entrusts to us people’s money in the form of grants to address the health needs of our country.” 

The UPM S&T 2020 Week, themed “AGAP AGHAM: Responding to the Pandemic through Research”, was described by Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Armando C. Crisostomo as carefully curated to present to the public the best researches among the 300+ the University has that are related to COVID-19. Chancellor Padilla characterized the event as allied with the national theme of “Agham at Teknolohiya: Sandigan ng Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Kaayusan, at Kinabukasan”. “Ours reflect the swift, systematic, and science-based response of UP Manila and PGH to the pandemic,” she said. 

After the turnover of the Code for Responsible Conduct of Research, the first session of presentations commenced. The researches were organized around the sub-theme, “Characterizing Treatment Approaches to COVID-19” by the College of Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital. 

The UPM Science and Technology Week 2020 Committee was headed by Dr. Ricardo M. Manalastas Jr, Director for Research Management and Translation and co-headed by Dr. Mark Anthony Sandoval of the Research and Grants Administration Office (RGAO).

Fedelynn Jemena | Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 20 (30 November 2020)