The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has been pursuing various research activities since it was established as a University 41 years ago. The research outputs are utilized by target clienteles to improve their quality of life. However, the dynamism of the social, economic, socio-cultural, and political environment requires continuous updating and redirecting research efforts to align with the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) geared toward the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To address this concern, the annual MMSU In-House Review and Planning Workshop is being conducted to: i) review research programs/projects/studies undertaken by full-time and faculty researchers of the university; and ii) to identify gaps and researchable areas in the context of changing development thrusts and priorities. The outputs serveas bases in updating the University R&D Agenda (URDA) for the next five years (2019-2023).

Under the new administration of the University, the 7-point agenda dubbed as ACHIEVE embraces the four-fold functions: instruction, research, extension, and production. The C stands for Creative, Relevant, and Innovative Research Programs. This component is envisioned to implement more responsive and relevant research and development projects and programs. To facilitate its realization, six (6) research centers were established through BOR resolutions. These are: Center for Innovative Materials in Emerging Application (CIMEA); Garlic Research Center (GRC); Natural Resources Conservation and Management Center (NRCMC); National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC); TuklasLunas Development Center (TLDC); and the Regional Research and Training Center for Climate Change Studies (RRTCCS). On the pipeline for BOR approval is the center that cuts across various disciplines- Humanities, Social Science, Communication and Education Research Center (HuSoComERC).

The URDA shall provide the overall direction in the pursuit of research activities in aid of planning and policy and decision making particularly in crafting the University Strategic Plan and in support to the achievement of local, regional and national goals.

For the next five years, the URDA shall continue to compose the various discipline clusters as follows:

• Education, Social Sciences, Humanities, Culture & Arts
• Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Natural Resources and Environment (AFFNRE)
• Business, Management, Engineering & Industry
• Natural Sciences
• Health and Wellness
• Law & Governance
• Interdisciplinary Sciences

Each discipline contributes to the attainment of the following R&D Objectives:

1. Increase production through sustainable development;
2. Produce and develop food products that are competitive and have export potentials through clean production;
3. Develop low cost technologies to generate energy and biofuel from available renewable resources and promote the development and commercialization of appropriate machineries in support to micro, small and medium enterprise;
4. Promote sustainable development in the region amidst climate change;
5. Develop an integrated computer-based research management information systems of the university;
6. Improve the quality of education through science and information technology innovations;
7. Provide a market incubation center for technical breakthroughs that have excellent commercial potentials thereby providing an avenue for technology commercialization;
8. Promote healthy living, improve health delivery services and develop alternative source of cheaper medicines; and
9. Strengthen the R&D capacities in terms of both manpower and research facilities.