The Institute of  Strategic Research and Development Studies (ISRDS) as a unique role at Visayas State University.  In recognition of the cross-cutting role of social science in the agricultural RDE, the ISRDS is taking on an orchestrating role in stirring critical thinking across disciplines and commodities by mapping out urgent issues and problems that require timely and appropriate responses. Specifically, it focuses on the complex RDE issues of rural poverty and the impacts of local governance, human capital development, energy and water to achieve sustainable agricultural progress in rural communities.  In addition to its primary functions in research and extension, the ISRDS is expanding its mandate since June 2004 to offer degree courses thereby influencing young minds towards positive transformation in agriculture through quality higher education.

History

Before becoming an Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies on January 1, 2002, it was popularly known as the Center for Social Research in Small Farmer Development (CSR).  CSR was established on September 5, 1981 by virtue of Board of Trustees Resolution No. 50.

The CSR grew out of the experiences of the Community Extension Service (CES) which started in 1975 as a Social Laboratory to carry out the extension activities and other community-based projects of the Visayas State College of Agriculture now Visayas State University.  In 1980, the CES was renamed as Extension Research and Development Division or ERDD when the College extension program expanded. One year later, ERDD became the Center for Social Research in Small Farmer Development which is now named The Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies.

Vision

A technically and socially competent and empowered human resource in agriculture and fishery, who, as a community, is able to transform and equitably share in the benefits of the modernization of the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector from a resource-based to a technology-based, globally competitive, and sustainable industry.

Mission

To act as an effective instrument in the transformation of rural institutions required in agriculture and rural modernization through high quality and relevant human resource development, research and extension.

Goals:

• Foster redistributive justice and advance socio-economic equity by enhancing equal access to and control of local resources and services through strategic research, extension and high quality and relevant higher education.

• Identify and cultivate institutional capacities for efficient rural development management and implementation through human resource improvement and provision of credible data as bases for sound decision-making.

• Promote the advocacy towards critical socio-political and economic analyses to achieve positive transformation for lasting agricultural and environmental development.

• Stimulate people power development as a potent force in shaping, mobilizing, and carrying out democratic local decision-making processes through effective implementation of higher instruction program, research and extension.

Objectives:

• Conduct Strategic Research and policy studies in agriculture

• Develop new extension methods in mobilizing rural communities

• Develop high quality human resources needed for agricultural and its related fields

• Local Governance
• Human Capital Development
• Water
• Energy
• Povert

2. Instruction Division - Three sections:

• Masteral Curricular Program

  1.  Rural Sociology and Development Anthropology Program

  2.  Development Policy Studies Program Undergraduate Program Non-degree Program

• Undergraduate Program
• Non-degree Program

3. Knowledge Dissemination Division

RDE Strategic Themes

Rural Poverty—the phenomenon of rural poverty and its implications to national development and communicate this understanding to policymakers, program implementors, academicians, students and the poor themselves. The solution of persistent poverty especially in the rural areas is everyone's urgent concern.

Human Capital Development—critical analysis of the state of human capital development both the formal and non-formal educational system to determine where we are now and what needs to be done, and to advocate for policies that will promote human capital development for the agriculture and natural resources sectors.

Local Governance—improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local governance to effect agricultural and rural development and people empowerment is a continuous process. It is equally important for these who are in the government and those who are governed.

Energy—advocacy towards sound policies in energy-related matters affecting rural lives. Of strategic interest to Leyte is the social, economic and political impact of geothermal energy on communities, the region, and on the nation.

Water—studies and community-based action projects on people's access to and utilization and management of coastal and marine resources, sustainable utilization of fresh water resources for agricultural production especially in wetlands and flood-and typhoon prone areas, utilization of fresh water for human settlements, land conservation particularly forest management in critical watersheds and management of surface and ground water.

Other ISR Services

Conduct of On-Request Trainings on:

• Socio-economics Research Methods
• Social Research Data Analysis
• Extension Management Course
• Basic water Rights
• Gender Sensitivity
• Reproductive Health
• Skills for life for adolescents
• GIS for the Social Sciences
• LGU Strategic Planning

Implement Contract Research

• Impact Assessment of NGOs and POs
• Evaluation of Development Projects

Production of In-House Publications

• R&D Datafiles (Quarterly newsletter)
• Proceedings of in-house sponsored workshops
• Working papers
• ISR Brochures

Accreditation and Secretariat Functions

• Civil Service Commission-accredited training institution (GTI-2000-11-0717) signed by Karina Constantino-David on March 19, 2001

• Appointed Secretariat, Working Group for the Protection, Conservation and Sustainable Management of Camotes Sea by Isabelo S. Montejo, Assistant Regional Director DENR-7 and approved by Paciencia P. Milan, ViSCA President June 11, 2001

• Community-Based Resource Management Program-accredited consultant institution (No. 0-004) signed by Daniel A. Aguilar, Regional Coordinator, on February 8, 2000

• Academic Sector Representative in the Visayas Water Council organized under the leadership of the Department of Integrated Water Resources Management (DENR) and the Tambuyog Development Center on March 2003.