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research in undergraduate programs becomes a key requirement in order to produce
quality research (Altbach and Salmi 2011 , p. 335).
This chapter is about higher education research in the Philippines. It provides an
overview about the status and challenges of Philippine higher education research.
The focus of the discussion is on the policies of the Philippines’ Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) on improving higher education research in the country.
The chapter starts with a discussion on the status of the scientific research in the
Philippines 67 years ago. It is followed by a discussion on the status of higher edu-
cation research and on the current policies initiated by the CHED as well as the
research trends and prospects in order to develop the culture of research and the
quality of research output in Philippine higher education.
Higher Education Research: A Glimpse of the Past
What is the status of research in Philippine higher education?
In his paper, The Present Status of Scientific Research in the Philippines, published
in 1949, Dean L.B. Uichanco of the College of Agriculture, University of the
Philippines, describes scientific research in the Philippines in these words, “there is
every reason to expect an assured growth and development of scientific work in the
Philippines” ( 1949 , p. 2). His optimistic statement about the future of scientific
research in the Philippines was inspired by the support of the government and peo-
ple of the United States of America to the Philippines in terms of publications, valu-
able scientific equipment and supplies, sharing of expertise and knowledge transfer,
and scholarship to study in American universities (Uichanco 1949 , p. 2). Such sup-
port was important not only for the development of scientific research but more so
for the economic and general well-being of the Philippine society and of the Filipino
people ravaged by the World War II.
Uichanco had optimistic words about the future of scientific research in the
Philippines but such changed when he described the realities of research during his
time. He laments about the lack of consciousness about the vital importance of
science in the life of the country and the great responsibility of scientists in that
regard (Uichanco 1949 , pp. 2–3). This lack of consciousness on the “vital impor-
tance” of scientific research in nation building was translated into government
policy of “relatively meagre and uncertain support” to scientific institutions which
resulted to small funding and salaries. The inadequacy of resources and support
made it difficult to Filipino scientists to keep scientific research activities “attuned
to the progress of the world” (Uichanco 1949 , p. 3). Scientific research also became
less attractive to “superior young men and women with adequate preparation and
ability” (Uichanco 1949 , p. 3). Such situation obstructed the development of
research.
He describes such reality of scientific research as “unwholesome situation” – a
situation that “will work to the great detriment” of the Philippine society (Uichanco
C.B.S. Bustamante