RDE Thematic Areas
Within the foregoing context, RDE at CSU will be conducted with strategic local, regional, national
and international partners on the following themes:
Food Security, Self-sufficiency and Safety - This thematic area will respond to the country’s
quest for sustainable food security, self-sufficiency and safety.
Cagayan being a major food producer and considering the country’s vulnerability to natural
calamities and disasters, it is important for people to be assured
of available, adequate, affordable and safe food on their table.
Climate Change - The Philippines is experiencing warming temperatures brought about by
climate change, most especially in the northern and southern regions.
These regions (northern Luzon and Mindanao) have also warmed the most and have dried the most. As
climate change significantly affects agriculture and the
environment, the National Climate Change Action Plan dealing with mitigation, adaptation, technology
exchange and resource sharing will guide CSU’s RDE work
on this theme. Considering that climate change will impact the present and future scenarios, a
strategic and holistic RDE approach will be pursued.
Environmental Resource Management - The thrust of this theme is to maintain and improve the
state of environmental resources affected by human activities
(i.e., the interaction and impact of communities on the environment) and climate change.
Environmental issues that affect the land, air and water will also
be studied. RDE on environmental resource management will ensure that ecosystem services are
protected and maintained for equitable use and also maintain
ecosystem integrity for future generations.
Human Health and Nutrition - Sound health is fundamental to human life, meeting basic needs
and contributing to a productive life. In developing countries like the
Philippines, hunger and health risks are aggravated by extreme poverty. Disease and malnutrition are
mostly attributable to unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene.
Many communicable diseases are emerging, so the country has to be prepared with appropriate
medication, vaccines and diagnostic kits that are available and affordable to the poor.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management - This theme will find out ways and means by which
communities and local governments can identify, assess and reduce the risks of natural disasters.
RDE along this area will help communities reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disasters as well
as dealing with the environmental and other hazards that trigger them. The shift from
prevention and mitigation to preparedness mode in disaster risk management requires a lot of
research not only in policy formulation, community development and public awareness but also
in hard science (e.g. forecasting, structural engineering, etc.).
Sustainable Renewable Energy Sources - Increasing the percentage of indigenous renewable
energy source into the national energy mix will not only result in dollar saving, and protection of
the environment but more importantly, ensuring energy security. The search, development and
exploitation of renewable energy sources will involve a multidisciplinary approach.
Emerging Technologies - Emerging technologies are technical innovations on progressive
developments within a field for competitive advantage, representing previously distinct fields which
are
moving towards convergence. These are indispensable in propelling the country to sustainable
agro-industrial development. Currently emerging technologies include biotechnology, information
technology, nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Social Sciences - Being concerned with society and human nature, the social sciences cut
across disciplines and has a pivotal role in societal growth and development. In the context of
CSU’s RDE programs,
the social sciences will cover socio-economics, entrepreneurship, higher education and law and
governance.