Jul 2, 2013

Navarra named CapSU VP for research, extension

Dr. Cora F. Navarra
On November 7, 2012, Dr. Cora Ferrer Navarra was officially named vice-president for research and extension of the Capiz State University (CapSU).

As per Memorandum Order No. 677, series of 2012, Dr. Editha L. Magallanes, CapSU president, formally designated Dr. Cora Navarra the new vice president for Research and Extension.

Effective said date, Navarra took over the post vacated by Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio, who held the position since 2004.

Formerly the chair of CapSU’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) from January 2010 to November 2012, and also director for external affairs and linkages from June 2011 to October 2012, Navarra was chosen from among three applicants within the university.

After having taught at the then Mambusao Agricultural and Technical College since 1976, Navarra obtained her Master of Agriculture at the West Visayas State University in 1987 and her doctorate in Animal Science at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños in 1997.

Since then, Navarra has held various positions in the university. Among others, she served as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Forestry of the Capiz State University Burias Campus from 2001–2005. She also served as Campus Administrator of CapSU Tapaz Campus from 2005–2007. Before coming to work at the Central Administration in Roxas City, Navarra also served as dean of the graduate school at CapSU Poblacion Campus from 2007 to 2011.

Among other thrusts, Navarra prioritizes the capability enhancement of the University faculty and staff in the aspects of research and extension by conducting in-house seminars and trainings given by resource speakers coming from reputable agencies and institutions outside CapSU. Navarra also deems it wise to recommend more faculty members to attend similar said activities outside CapSU.

She will also see to it that a big number of faculty members will get involved in research and extension activities.

The former coordinator of the Applied Communications Group of the western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) from 2008 to 2011 also places priority to beef up the IEC materials database of the university.

According to Navarra, these materials which detail out the technologies developed by the faculty and the research arms of the University can be used best as tools and guides for practicable livelihood to the communities. For Navarra, investing in IEC materials like brochures and flyers of appropriate agricultural and related technologies and similar other forms of information dissemination are key tools to achieving optimum performance in research and extension.

Further, Navarra deems it important to establish linkages with funding institutions that can assist and help facilitate CapSU’s research projects and extension activities. (Niño Manaog, Extension Associate)