RMQA-RDM Conducts Research Data Management Course

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Risk Management and Quality Assurance-Research Data Management (RMQA-RDM) training team conducted its Research Data Management (RDM) 101 course on 26-28 May at IRRI headquarters.

Three participants from IRRI attended the three-day training course, namely Rafael Panerio and Mostafa Ahmadizadeh, researchers at  the Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division, and Shiela Ann Franco, a molecular biologist at the Grain Quality and Nutrition Center. Bibek Sapkota, a scientist from Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Dhiraj Srivastava, head of Relief Operations at Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, also attended the course.

RDM 101 covered various areas of data management including research data planning; data collection, authentication and analysis; data storage, backup and security; and data archival and sharing. The training team also discussed and demonstrated file management tools and software including Beyond Compare, Cobian, WinDirStat, Mendeley, Google Drive, and the IRRI Dataverse, an online repository for data archiving and sharing.

The training team is headed by IRRI-RMQA Senior Manager Menchu Bernardo with Enrico Mercado, and Sheenah Tan. Rogelio Alvarez of Information Technology Services provided a lecture on data backup, security, and storage.

This is the second RDM 101 course for the year. The course is conducted quarterly.

RMQA Team Meets on Developing a More Robust Risk Management Strategy at IRRI

The Risk Management Quality Assurance (RMQA) team convened to discuss a comprehensive approach for preventing  the occurrence and reducing the impact of hazardous  events at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Spearheaded by RMQA Senior Manager Menchu Bernardo, the 33-member team formed the steering committee for the 1st Safety Awareness Summit at IRRI HQ to be held in August. The summit aims to promote safety in the workplace through lectures on ergonomics, emergency and disaster preparedness, biosafety compliance, general waste management, and best field and laboratory safety practices.  The RMQA team also discussed the documentation standard operating procedure for all units where all documents will be uploaded in a common repository as part of IRRI’s Quality Management System (QMS).

Jose Luis of the Safety and Security Services presented a plan for assessing and reviewing existing safety practices used at IRRI’s laboratories, greenhouse, screenhouse, and offices in compliance with the Board-approved Occupational Health and Safety Policy.  Reah Gonzales of the Grain Quality and Nutrition Services Laboratory (GQNSL ) also shared their experience in developing QMS and SOP documentation as part of the successful renewal of the laboratories ISO 17025 accreditation.

The new members of RMQA were also introduced during the worskshop and meeting on 19 May at the IRRI Guest House. They include Francis Rubianes from Crop and Environmental Sciences Division, Cindy Llorente from GQNSL, Janet Lazarte from Human Resource Services, Fernando Artates from Financial Planning and Reporting,  and Jun Correa from Experiment Station (ES).

RMQA Concludes First RDM 101 Training Course for 2015

Thirteen participants completed the three-day training course: three from IRRI-India country office (CSISA); internal IRRI staff include five from Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB), four from Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD); one from Grain Quality and Nutrition Center (GQNC); and one from Genetic Resources Center (GRC). It was held on 17-19 March 2015 at the IT Learning Center in the IRRI Headquarters.

The course covered all areas of data management: data management planning; data documentation; data collection and pre-analysis of statistical software (using MS Access for data transformation as pre-analysis in statistical software); data validation and quality control; using bar codes in experiments; using  mobile devices in collecting data; data storage backup, and security; and data archival and sharing. Moreover, the training team also discussed and demonstrated file management tools/software that include: Beyond Compare, Cobian, Mendeley, and the IRRI Dataverse (an online repository for data archiving and sharing).

The training team, managed by IRRI-RMQA Senior Manager Menchu Bernardo, is composed of Enrico Mercado and Deacart Arreza. Mr. Rogelio Alvarez of Information Technology Services (ITS) provided a lecture on data backup, security and storage.

RMQA-RDM Training Team Concludes 4th RDM 101

Twenty-two participants completed the three-day training course: external participants include one staff from WorldFish; one from Ifugao State University; another from Department of Agriculture; one from Central Mindanao University; one from Kalinga Apayao State College; three from IRRI country offices in Africa; internal IRRI staff include five from Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB), four from Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD); two from C4 Rice Center; two from Grain Quality and Nutrition Center (GQNC); and one from Social Sciences Division (SSD).
The course covered all areas of data management: data management planning; data documentation; data collection and pre-analysis of statistical software (using MS Access for data transformation as pre-analysis in statistical software); data validation and quality control; using bar codes in experiments; using  mobile devices in collecting data; data storage backup, and security; and data archival and sharing. Moreover, the training team also discussed and demonstrated file management tools/software that include: Beyond Compare, Cobian, WinDirStat, Mendeley, Beyond Compare, and the IRRI Dataverse, an online repository for data archiving and sharing.

The training team, managed by IRRI-RMQA Senior Manager Menchu Bernardo, is composed of Enrico Mercado and Deacart Arreza. Mr. Rogelio Alvarez of Information Technology Services (ITS) provided a lecture on Data backup, security and storage.

RMQA and Merck Hold Special Seminar on Good Laboratory Practices

Merck Philippines, through the IRRI Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA) unit, held a seminar to further enhance good laboratory practices (GLP) at the International Institute of Rice Research on 10 October at D.L. Umali.

The seminar focused on water systems including purity levels, water contaminants, and using the right type of water for specific needs to ensure the quality of laboratory assays and experiments. It also covered the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), the international standard for labeling and classifying chemicals initiated by the United Nation to minimize the risks of handling chemicals in the laboratory and during transport. The lecture on GHS emphasized the meanings of the important symbols indicated on chemical containers. The seminar also tackled laboratory waste management and guidelines on proper disposal and recycling of chemical wastes, and ways to mitigate damages and risks in the event of chemical spills.

A total of 63 IRRI scientists, researchers, scholars, technicians, trainees, and secretaries from Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology, C4 Rice Center, Seed Health Unit, International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice, Crop and Environmental Science Division, Grain Quality and Nutrition Center, Safety Security Services, and RMQA attended the seminar.

RMQA-RDM Holds Training on Data Management and Security Awareness

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA)–Research Data Management (RDM) training team concluded the third RDM 101 course on August 26-28 at IRRI headquarters.

The course,which is conducted quarterly. covered all areas of data management including management planning, documentation, collection and pre-analysis of statistical software, storage and backup, and archival and sharing. The training team also discussed and demonstrated file management software Beyond Compare, Cobian, WINDIRSTAT, and Mendeley, and presented an overview of The IRRI Dataverse, an online repository for data archiving and sharing. Mr. Rogelio Alvarez of Information Technology Services provided a lecture on data backup, security and storage.

Fourteen participants completed the three-day training course: 8 IRRI staff members, 4 researchers from Can Tho University in Vietnam, a consultant from the IRRI-Bangladesh office, and a scientist from the University of Virgin Islands.

The training team is managed by IRRI-RMQA Senior Manager Marichu Bernardo and includes Enrico Mercado and Deacart Arreza.

RMQA Concludes Its 2nd RDM 101 Training Course for 2014

The Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA) training team concluded its second Research Data Management (RDM) 101 course for 2014 on 20-22 May at the I.T. Learning Center, IRRI Headquarters. Eleven participants completed the training including staff members from PBGB, SSD, and CESD as well as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Iloilo, Philippines.

RDM 101 covered all areas of data management, including planning, documentation, collection and pre-analysis, storage and backup, and archival and sharing. International standards regarding information security was also briefly discussed. The training also introduced tools and software, such as Dataverse, Google Drive, Beyond Compare, and Mendeley, that can aid in research data management while Carlos Ortiz (ITS) provided support on the use of the virtual machine clients.

The training team, managed by Menchu Bernardo IRRI-RMQA Senior Manager, includes Icoy Mercado and Dec Arreza.