A four-day training-workshop sponsored by the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD), the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development–Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) and the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) was conducted at the WMSU Research Center on April 2008.

The training-workshop was aimed to improve and upgrade the knowledge and skills on health research of the ZCHRD with the theme: “Upgrading Capabilities in the Conceptualization and Management of Health Research.” It showcased presentations of research proposals from different members of the ZCHRD and a three-day training on Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN) Neon System.

WMSU Research Extension and Development Vice President Dr. Rufina A. Cruz said that the four-day training-workshop is in line with the research thrust of the University to create a dynamic, responsible and empowered health research community, while PCHRD Zamboanga Chair and WMSU President Dr. Grace J. Rebollos stated that “getting open to the new things that [we've learned] from this training-workshop and slowly developing our hardware and software infrastructure, would probably assist researchers in doing future research works”.

Speakers of the program included Dr. Milabel Ho, Dr. Susan dela Cruz, Prof. Rosalyn Echem, and Dr. Chona Sarmiento, while resource people of the HERDIN Neon training were Mr. Alexander Sea and Ms. Violeta Intia of the PCHRD.