SDRC Embarks on for Strategic Planning through Faith Formation

For its first activity as a unit under newly appointed Director Dr. Homer J. Yabut, the core staff participated in its second Reims Experience faith formation guided by Lasallian Formator James Manez and Graduate Students Formation Coordinator Macy Eusebio of the Lasallian Pastoral Office. The session opened with a discussion on the life of the Founder and the Lasallian Mission, during which members shared their reflections on how they came to be part of the DLSU family. This was followed by insights into Lasallian spirituality, where the staff shared thoughts on their daily life at work and in the community. The activity concluded with an exercise in meditation to demonstrate how spiritual practice could be performed on a regular basis.

This endeavor helped to bring perspective to the strategic planning workshop with the SDRC research fellows that followed immediately after, with the aim of producing a five-year plan and strategic goals in line with the University’s goals for 2023-2027. The workshop was premised on opening remarks shared by Br. President Bernard Oca, FSC, who reminded the group of the University’s vision for SDRC to become a “top-tier internationally recognized research institution;” Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Raymond Tan, who acknowledged that the Center’s golden jubilee was soon approaching and must be prepared for; and Dr. Yabut, who reviewed action plans from the Center’s two previous strategic planning workshops and suggested how the group could continue from there.

University Fellow Dr. Allan Bernardo next spoke about the Jubilee Strategy AY 23-27 and possible areas in which SDRC could contribute toward advancing the institution, particularly in increasing publication output, collaborating with partner institutions in support of private higher education, and encouraging a global outlook among DLSU researchers. Senior research fellows Ms. Ma. Angeles Lapeña and Dr. Pilar Ramos Jimenez (now Scientist in Residence) reminisced about how life in the early years of the Center shaped their research practice, and spoke on projects that defined their areas of interest.

The workshop proper was facilitated by Premiere Value Provider President Dr. Marshall Valencia, who began with an anecdote illustrating how “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” He utilized the acronym “PESTLE” (political, environment, social, technology, legal, environment) and SWOT analysis to indicate the areas of concern that needed to be addressed in the strategic plans. Special attention was paid to hindrances in the Center’s daily operations that, if left unsettled, could affect the outcome of the projects undertaken. The Fellows resolved to meet regularly throughout the coming year to review and monitor the plans proposed during the workshop.

The three-day formation and planning activity was held on November 16-18, 2023 in Clark, Pampanga.