The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST–PCHRD), successfully conducted the Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN) Research Camp 2026 on February 16, 2026, at the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, CBSUA Pili Campus.
The event gathered faculty researchers and information management leaders in a unified effort to strengthen the University’s health research ecosystem. Anchored on the theme “Building a Smarter, Stronger Health Research Network,” the activity aimed to enhance institutional competence in maximizing the Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), the Philippines’ primary repository of health research information.
Technical sessions formed the core of the camp, featuring an introduction to PCHRD’s programs and services, an overview of HERDIN’s national role and partnerships, and guided demonstrations on account creation, information searching, document delivery services, and contributor functionalities. Participants were also provided with detailed guidance on HERDIN access levels, account upgrading procedures, and CBSUA’s responsibilities as an institutional node.
A key highlight of the program was the active and collaborative participation of faculty members engaged in health-related research. Their involvement in hands-on activities such as data encoding, metadata validation, and research submission strengthened the collaborative learning environment. Through these efforts, the University’s health research outputs were accurately documented and uploaded to HERDIN, reinforcing CBSUA’s contribution to the national health research repository.
Interactive components, including workshops, a research forum, and an open forum, further deepened participants’ understanding of HERDIN’s functionalities and practical applications in research management, dissemination, and institutional reporting. These exchanges clarified operational procedures and enhanced participants’ confidence in navigating the platform.
The program concluded with messages of support and appreciation, followed by a courtesy visit to the Office of the President and a guided tour of the CBSUA Library with the DOST–PCHRD staff, underscoring the vital role of academic institutions in advancing knowledge dissemination and research development.
Overall, the HERDIN Research Camp 2026 served as a meaningful platform for capacity building, academic collaboration, and knowledge sharing. By equipping stakeholders, particularly health research faculty, with practical skills and strengthened institutional linkages, the initiative reaffirmed the collective commitment to building a more accessible, responsive, and data-driven national health research information system.
