The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), in partnership with the Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC), empowers Eastern Visayas researchers with the conduct of the HERDIN Orientation and Learning Session (HOLS) held online for Samar State University (SSU) on 31 May 2023, and onsite at Visayas State University (VSU) on 23 June 2023.

Aiming to familiarize faculty members and researchers from various state universities with the HERDIN platform and its essential features for managing and disseminating health and health-related research information, the session equipped participants with the necessary skills that enhance research visibility and collaboration among research-generating institutions.

Under the guidance of EVHRDC Research Utilization Chair, Dr. Sherrie Ann Cananua-Labid, the sessions brought together an esteemed panel of experts and speakers who provided insightful discussions and interactive sessions focused on exploring the multifaceted nature of HERDIN and its invaluable role in research endeavors.

A total of 43 participants attended the SSU session while 34 participants attended the onsite session in VSU. Both sessions featured informative presentations about the overview of HERDIN and instructional presentations on creating HERDIN accounts, the intricacies of the Research, Researcher, and Institution Form Data Fields, and the HERDIN search and document delivery functionalities.

The sessions also featured copyright and data protection concerns, where Atty. Exequiel D. Valerio, Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights, Intellectual Property of the Philippines, provided an overview of copyright regulations. Ms. Roren M. Chin, Division Chief of the Public Information and Assistance Division at the National Privacy Commission, discussed data protection practices. Additionally, Ms. Maria Violeta G. Intia presented HERDIN’s data protection measures.

Expanding on EVHRDC’s commitment to fostering research excellence, Dr. Labid also shared exciting news, stating that Leyte Normal University (LNU) will also be conducting the same training this year. “This development showcases the collaborative efforts of these institutions in promoting research capacity building and underscores their collective dedication to elevating the quality and impact of health research in the region,” Dr. Labid added.

Dr. Montoya emphasized the significance of the HERDIN platform in facilitating collaboration and promoting the exchange of health research information. “With HERDIN, researchers can effectively manage, organize, and disseminate their valuable research outputs, enhancing research visibility and fostering fruitful collaborations. As staunch advocates of research excellence and knowledge dissemination, we are committed to equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to enhance their research capabilities and contribute to the advancement of healthcare,” he added.

For more information about HERDIN and its features, interested individuals can visit the official HERDIN website at herdin.ph or PCHRD website at pchrd.dost.gov.ph.