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.

PBGB-RMQA Reviews Activities Through Planning Workshop

The Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division Risk Management and Quality Assurance (PBGB-RMQA) team held a review and planning workshop last March 20-21 at Surga, Majayjay Laguna.  The team was composed of the RMQA officers and representatives from each of the 35 groups/units within the division.  The IRRI RMQA unit facilitated the activities.

With the aim to enhance risk awareness and to continuously imbed the risk management culture in PBGB, the group reviewed the division’s Risk Register and its Business Continuity and Recovery Plan, and devised various strategies and approaches on how to better manage the risks the division is exposed to. The plans will be approved by the Division Head, Eero Nissila, and Deputy Division Head/RMQA IRS, Glenn Gregorio.    Specifically, the proposal to establish an off-site back-up seed storage facility at PhilRice for the elite breeding lines was discussed and will be initiated soon.  The participants also reviewed existing guidelines/policies such as (1) the IRRI review and publications guidelines, (2) the OU internal clearance, (3) the use of the IRRI Research Notebook and, (4) the PBGB Operations Manual and Guidelines.

The RMQA-Research Data Management (RDM) team reported on the status of the divisions’ network repository while the Biosafety Officer gave an overview of its role and functions and updated the group on issues and some policies regarding transgenics.

The PBGB RMQA Officers include: Glenn Gregorio, Vit Lopena, Norman Oliva, Joie Ramos, and Mayee Reveche. RMQA unit is composed of Menchu Bernardo (Senior Manager), Rizza Mendoza (Manager, Biosafety Office), Icoy Mercado and Dec Arreza (Research Data Management).

RMQA-RDM Training Team Conducts First RDM 101 for 2014

Thirteen IRRI staff were participants in the recently held Research Data Management (RDM) 101 course—the first batch for 2014.

RDM 101 is regularly offered by IRRI’s Risk Management and Quality Assurance unit and covers data management planning; data collection, validation, and checking; data transformation and retrieval; back-up; and archiving and sharing, with emphasis on documentation and metadata.

Menchu Bernardo, RMQA senior manager, also discussed IRRI’s current IT infrastructure that staff and scholars can use to help them manage their data more efficiently.

IRRI Dataverse, developed by IQSS at Harvard University as a cloud-based research data repository, was as introduced as tool for use in archiving and sharing the Institute's research findings.

RMQA Holds Review and Planning Workshop

Workshop resources and materials can be downloaded here.

RMQA Holds Mass Metrology and Calibration

A training-workshop, Technical requirements for calibration and measurement traceability of weighing instruments and meter sticks, was held at IRRI on 12 September 2012 to enhance accuracy and traceability of data collected using the weighing balance and the meter stick.

The workshop was held in two parts: a lecture on technical calibration requirements and traceability, and a hands-on session on calibration of electronic weighing balances and meter sticks. It was attended by 55 staff from IRRI's various laboratories.

Proper calibration of weighing instruments will ensure that measurement data are accurate and traceable to international weight standards. Previous calibration workshops were held in December 2010 and July 2011.

Resource for the workshop was Roxan de Luna Roxas, quality and technical manager of Metrologie Concepts Solutions, Inc. in the Philippines.

The workshop was organized by IRRI's Risk Management Quality Assurance unit.

RMQA Conducts Information Security Management System Training

Forty-four IRRI staff members underwent training on information security management systems (ISMS) to enhance staff awareness on emerging threats on information security.

The training was conducted by the Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA) Office and the Information Technology Services to support the corporate effort to protect IRRI’s information assets.

The 3-day course, which ran 4-6 July 2012, provided an in-depth look at how ISMS uses an international benchmark—ISO/IEC 27001:2005—by presenting the requirements of ISO 27001 as well as 11 security control domains.

Richard Regalado, consultant from EIAN Management Consulting, was resource speaker.

Norm MacDonald, deputy director general for management services, opened the workshop. Marco van den Berg, chief information officer, and Sophie Clayton, public relations head, on IRRI's approach regarding information security and communicating to the public, respectively.  

"While we endeavor to communicate our work to our stakeholders, it is also important to understand and appreciate the risks involving our information assets," said Marichu Bernardo, RMQA head. "Through a risk management framework, the process of selecting controls become structured and aligned with IRRI’s business needs."

Staff members who underwent the training were: Bonifacio de Ocampo, Loreto Puyod, Carlos Ortiz, Lea delos Reyes, Kate Quintos, Jose Luis, Hershey Aquino, Albert Borrero, Gerry Laviña, Leah Baroña-Cruz, Kenneth Lojo, Velinda Ilao, Betty Sarah Carreon, Fernando Florece, Dehner de Leon, Arnel Rala, Pie Moya, Teri Ulat, William Eusebio, Vic Alcantara, Jack Lagare, Norman Oliva, Grace Lee Capilit, Lilibeth Sison, Rolando Santos, Jr., Jun Ulat, Manfred Cardenas, Roslen Anacleto, Arnie Santos, Rizalina Sulabo, Jun Correa, Rowena Castillo, Olivyn Angeles, Lauro Atienza, Enrico Mercado, Deacart Arreza, Cristina Mendoza, Sophie Clayton, Ma. Lizbeth Baroña, Sharlene Santos, Marilyn Belen, Bianca Ferrer, Jemina Manansala.

RMQA Holds Business Continuity Management Planning

Thirty-three IRRI staff from research, management services, operations, and external relations participated in a 2-day training workshop, Practical course on incident management and business continuity based on BS 25999, held on 1-2 December 2011 at the IRRI Guest House.

Richard Regalado, a qualified ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and BS 25999 lead assessor, was invited as course facilitator/tutor and discussed business continuity (BC) concepts and requirements of the BS 25999 standard.

Workshop activities included identification of crisis-prepared versus crisis -prone situations, strategies, policy review, prioritization of services, business impact analysis, risk assessment, and crisis communication. Sophie Clayton, head of IRRI Public Relations, joined the exercises on crisis communications.

RMQA Holds Chemical Waste Management Seminar

A training workshop/seminar, Chemical Waste Management, was held on 11 October 2011 at IRRI.

Charita Saloma Kwan of the Research and Analytical Services Laboratory under the Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman, was resource speaker for the workshop, which aimed to inform users on proper handling of various chemicals used in experiments, as well as develop effective strategies for managing laboratory waste.

One hundred fifty-three staff from various units at IRRI attended the workshop, which was organized by IRRI's Risk Management and Quality Assurance office.

Ms. Kwan spoke on the importance of reading the material safety data sheet (MSDS) of each chemical used in both laboratory and field experiments, as the MSDS contains information on toxicity, environmental hazards, and first aid and treatment, among others.

She also discussed chemical waste management and minimizing waste in experiments and other Institute activities.

Waste minimization strategies, Ms. Kwan said, cuts across offices and begins with purchasing, inventory control, chemical exchange, materials substitution, and procedures modification.

Glenn Enriquez, senior manager of IRRI's Safety and Security Services, introduced to the participants the only two IRRI staff authorized to handle chemical waste in the Institute: Rodelo Empalmado and Pablo Erasga.

RQMA Conducts Refresher Course on Proper Use of Laboratory Oven

A refresher course, Proper Use of the Laboratory Oven: Baking 101, was held on 22 September 2011 in IRRI.

The course aimed to enhance awareness of oven users in the laboratory with the risks related to improper use, such as oven fire, loss of samples, and quality and integrity of data.

Sixty-three participants attended from IRRI's various divisions.

Resource speakers were Menchu Bernardo, Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA) senior manager (risks related to improper use of oven); Lithium Li, from YANA Chemodities, Inc. (technical aspects of the laboratory oven); Evangeline Ella (preventive maintenance); Rolly Torres (roles and responsibilities of oven users); and Glenn Enriquez, senior manager for Security and Safety Services (responding to oven fire).

A hands-on exercise on the proper use of the laboratory oven was facilitated by Ofie Namuco.

The course was organized by the RMQA team of IRRI's Crop and Environmental Sciences Division.

RMQA Holds Mass Metrology and Calibration Training Workshop

To address accuracy and traceability of data collected using weighing balance, a training workshop, Understanding the Principles of Mass Metrology and Corresponding Uncertainty Components in Mass Calibration, was held in 15 July 2011 at Umali Rooms B and C.

The course was held in 2 parts: (A) principles of mass calibration (lecture) and (B) hands-on calibration of weighing balances.

Seventy participants from laboratories around IRRI attended the workshop, which was organized by IRRI's Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA) office and conducted by Roxan de Luna Roxas, quality and technical manager, Metrologie Concepts Solutions, Inc., Philippines.

Proper calibration of weighing instruments will ensure that measurement data generated are accurate and traceable to international weight standards.

RMQA Conducts First Mendeley Training Workshop

IRRI-RMQA and CPS are now offering their first FREE training workshop on Mendeley for the month of July 2011.

Anyone who writes papers for publication and secretaries who assist in preparing bibliographical entries/references are invited to join.

For further information, you can contact the IRRI Mendeley Advisors:

CPS: Darell Sison (x2703)RMQA: Icoy Mercado (x2969)