To enhance the conduct of commodity reviews and R&D symposium, the  Ilocos  Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC) has conducted seminar workshop to hone skills and capabilities of researchers, evaluators and moderators from the different member agencies. 

In response to the need  for better and  improved  presentation of papers in written and oral forms, a two-day writeshop on technical writing and reporting was conducted at Villa Navarro Beach Resort , Caba, La Union on January 16-17.

This activity aimed to teach the researchers -participants the basic rules of thumb in writing and presenting technical report. Through the years, the consortium has already institutionalized the conduct of these R&D management activities but there is a need to mentor emerging young researchers and refresh skills of seasoned researchers on these topics.

Dr.  Fe Domingo, a seasoned  writer-researcher and educator  of the National Economic Development Authority – 1 (NEDA-1) presented clear cut guides  to researcher - participants  in writing and reporting their papers.

Moreover, Dr. Lily Ann Lando, the director of the Applied Communication Division of PCARRD also aroused the ingenuity and creativity of participants in designing and presenting a paper through powerpoint.

Prior to this, a seminar on how to evaluate and classify technical papers and the guidelines of moderating a scientific forum was also conducted at MMSU University Training Center (UTC), Batac, Ilocos Norte on  June 2-3. These topics were chosen to address some major feedbacks being thrown to the consortium  as to the way evaluators or panelists evaluate papers, and treat presenters and  the way moderators act during forum.

With these seminars, the consortium director,  Dr. Stanley C. Malab challenged participants to employ their learning in the forthcoming  R&D symposium.   ”I would like to see significant improvements in the presentation and evaluation of papers during the symposium.”  (by L. Campano)