Establishment of Natural Products Development Laboratory: A Future-Proofing Intervention and DOrSU’s Commitment to UN-SDGs

The contribution of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in achieving UN-Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is critical. HEIs’ contribution to the SDGs is not only confined to education and research but also to their engagement with society, policy-ma-king, infrastructure establishment, and sustainability practice in the institution. By aligning their programs and projects to the SDGs, HEIs can share significantly, producing a more sustainable development for all. One of the notable investments of Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) is the construction of the University Research Complex (UResCom). The structure contains the university’s research laboratories and working spaces for academic scholars to conduct cutting-edge research and scientific breakthroughs. The seed fund for the laboratory equipment and initial research participation was sponsored by project grants from the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). Partnering with established laboratories and institutions is also an effective tool to guide developing universities. This approach will strengthen more productive research engagements as one of the prime movers of the university’s development. It will enhance scientific research outputs and coverage, improve the faculty’s technological competence, enable partnerships with the industrial sector, and is a leverage for the submission of project proposals. This approach will significantly contribute to improving the country’s Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking and to the achievement of these goals.