By Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (OVPRDE)
ĢƵ welcomes its first Research and Development Leader, Engr. Jeremias A. Gonzaga of De La Salle University, marking a milestone in advancing engineering and technology research under the OVPRDEĢƵs WEAVE Program.
ILOILO CITY ĢƵ ĢƵ (CPU) has reached a historic milestone in its research and innovation journey with the formal engagement of its first Research and Development (RD) Leader, marking a significant step in strengthening the UniversityĢƵs engineering and technology research capabilities.
This milestone engagement traces its roots to November 2025, when CPUĢƵthrough the Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (OVPRDE) and with the endorsement of the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI)ĢƵformally submitted to the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) the proposal
ĢƵAdvancE TECH: Advancing Engineering and Technology Research and Development Capabilities at ĢƵ (CPU).ĢƵ The proposal was designed to elevate the UniversityĢƵs research capabilities in engineering and technology, in alignment with both national and regional development agendas.
Following a rigorous evaluation process under the DOSTĢƵNRCP RDLead Program, the proposal was approved, paving the way for CPUĢƵs first-ever participation in the RDLead mechanism for institutional research capability building. The engagement is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the NRCP and is implemented as a strategic initiative under the WEAVE Program of the OVPRDEĢƵCPUĢƵs institutional framework for strengthening faculty capacity, research systems, and innovation outcomes.
Under this landmark partnership, Engr. Jeremias A. Gonzaga of De La Salle University has been appointed as CPUĢƵs RD Leader. The engagement is formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement among CPU, the NRCP, and the RD Leader, with CPU serving as the Host Institution. The approved RDLead engagement shall officially run from February 1, 2026 to May 30, 2026, during which all agreed outputs and deliverables will be implemented.
RDLead as a WEAVE Capability-Building Strategy
The RDLead engagement serves as a flagship intervention under OVPRDEĢƵs WEAVE Program, CPUĢƵs continuing strategy for faculty and institutional development through Workload Optimization, Expertise Enhancement, Access to Assets, Velocity Amplification, and Ecosystem Engagement. Through WEAVE, CPU systematically strengthens its research human capital, improves the utilization of advanced research facilities, deepens partnerships with national agencies and industry, and accelerates the pace and quality of research outputs.
The AdvancE TECH project directly operationalizes the Expertise Enhancement and Access to Assets pillars of WEAVE by embedding high-level research leadership and mentoring within CPUĢƵs engineering and technology ecosystem. Central to this effort is the optimization of the UniversityĢƵs Wind Energy R&D FacilityĢƵthe only academic wind tunnel facility in Western VisayasĢƵa strategic research asset with strong potential for renewable energy, aerodynamics, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and applied engineering innovation.
Accelerating Engineering and Technology Research
During the engagement period, Engr. Gonzaga will provide technical leadership and hands-on mentoring to CPU faculty and researchers, focusing on:
- research proposal development and project conceptualization;
- scientific writing, peer review, and publication in local and international journals;
- training on computational fluid dynamics and airfoil and wind tunnel simulations;
- assessment, calibration, and optimization of the Wind Energy R&D Facility;
- assistance in the development of manuals, protocols, and training modules related to wind tunnel operations; and
- assistance in the development of a research roadmap and agenda for the Wind Energy R&D Facility.
These activities are designed not only to generate immediate and measurable research outputs, but also to institutionalize structured, sustainable, and nationally aligned R&D systems, consistent with the Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) and the Philippine Development Plan.
A First for CPU, A Strategic Signal Forward
As CPUĢƵs first RD Leader engagement, the AdvancE TECHĢƵRDLead initiative represents a defining moment in the UniversityĢƵs transition toward becoming a recognized regional leader in engineering and technology research and innovation. Anchored on the OVPRDEĢƵs WEAVE Program, the engagement reflects CPUĢƵs deliberate shift from project-based research activities toward capability-driven, leadership-enabled, and system-oriented R&D development.
Through this milestone, CPU affirms its long-term commitment to research excellence, innovation leadership, and the delivery of engineering and technological solutions that address pressing societal and development challenges in Western Visayas and beyond.