Historical Background

 When Mindanao State University opened in 1961, its research and extensions functions also began in earnest. An Institute of Research for Filipino Culture was created to assist the University in the Implementation of the University Charter through research on “Filipino native culture, the arts, sciences, philosophy and literature”. In 1967, it was restricted and called the University Research  Center (URC). In 1989, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) was established with the primary goal of bringing together the various units/colleges in the University involved in research and extension activities. There were two major offices that operated under the aegis of OVRCE: the Office of the Director of Research or the Mamitua Saber Research Center (MSRC) and the Office of the Director of Extension or the Present University Extension Services Center (UESC). Four other offices were originally placed under the OVCRE, namely: the University Museum that housed the Aga Khan and Natural Science Museums, Ceramics Development Center, and the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (formerly the Muslim Mindanao Development Institute). Now these four offices only operate as support units, while MSRC and UESC remained as its two major arms in the implementation of its R and E programs.

     The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Development which is now an organic unit of the Mindanao State University Main Campus had its humble beginning from the creation of the Institute of Research for the Filipino Culture (IRFC) which was part and parcel of the Charter that created the University in RA No. 1387 that was approved in 1955 and was amended by RA No. 3791 in 1963.  IRFC was  “established primarily to give professional training besides providing advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, sciences and the arts. More emphasis shall be given in the teaching of Filipino culture and so, researches in these lines shall be undertaken by the University” (Section 2 of the University Charter).  Later on, IRFC  renamed as the University Research Center in 1964 with Dr. Mamitua Saber as its designated head. This was in the same year that the Philippine Congress had appropriated 15 Million pesos for the University’s development. Then, at the time that Mindanao  had experienced unstable peace and order situation in 1970’s, there was a BOR Resolution No. 1983 series of 1979 that created the Southern Philippines Center for Peace Studies (SPCPS) with PhP 50,000.00 appropriated lump sum intended for extension services for the conduct of  seminars, dialogues and conferences in order to promote peace in the Southern Philippines. At this time, SPCPS was a national program of MSU but a non-stock and non-profit unit mandated with the formulation of the general policy and implementation of  its mandated objectives as follows: (1) determine the status of peace and order conditions and identify the factors affecting such conditions; (2) to set the goal for peace and order that may be attained each year during 1980’s; (3) to recommend programs and strategies that will lead to the attainment of the objective No. 2; (4) to develop improved attitudes towards understanding and acceptance among various social groups that will lead all concerned to work for the benefits of the entire nation; (5) to coordinate with the various government and private agencies involved in the promotion of peace and order. As to the structure of SPCPS, it was placed under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs since the campus at that time was still small.

      However, ten years after the creation of the SPCPS particularly on May 16, 1989, another BOR Resolution Number 53  series of 1989  was approved  transferring  several offices and units to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE).These included the MSU-URC, Regional Adaptive Technology Center (RATC),  Ceramics Development Center from the University Extension Service office. Along with the transfer of these offices/units were the transfer of their respective appropriations, resources, records and personnel.. However, during the 138^th BOR Meeting in July 31, 1989, there was a proposed amendment to the BOR Resolution Number 53 series of 1989 as BOR Resolution Number 128 series of 1989 was passed consolidating the Southern Philippines Center for Peace Studies  which was under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to the Regional Adaptive Technology Center under the OVCRE creating thereby the University Extension Service Office. The Director of RATC was converted to the Director of Extension Office. However, in the same year, SPCPS was again transferred from the OVCRE to the Office of the Chancellor of the MSU Marawi Campus.

     In 1992 after the death of Dr. Mamitua Saber, the University Research Center was renamed as Mamitua Saber Research Center (MSRC) from the verbal accounts of Mrs. Mindamera Saber Macarambon, one of Dr. Saber’s daughters who closely worked with her father in this unit of the University. In year 2000, the tragic burning down of MSRC happened and with the new building constructed out of MSU- Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), MSRC was again renamed as Mamitua Saber Research and Technology Center (MSRTC) in 2006 as part of the requirements of the ACEF. The MSU-ACEF Project was accessed through the assistance of  Dr. Benasing O. Macarambon Jr., the representative of the second district of Lanao del Sur during the period of Dr. Camar A. Umpa and Dr. Ricardo F. de Leon as MSU System Presidents. Later on, the proponent designated as the Executive Project Director was Mrs. Mindamera Saber Macarambon.

     Then, there came the 245^th meeting of the BOR at CHED Conference Room, UP Diliman, Quezon City on January 10, 2019, wherein the OVCRE was again renamed as OVCRED since the Technology Innovation Center was created under the OVCRED by the BOR Resolution No. 20 series of 2019.

    Through the years that passed since the creation of this Office, several MSU officials took the leadership of this Office, and all were designated as the Vice Chancellors were Dr. Mamitua Saber as the first head followed by Dr. Cosain Derico, Dr. Nagasura Madale, Prof. Saidali Mohammad, Dr. Ismael Disoma, Dr. Medarda Naga, Dr. Otinggue Masnar who was designated for two times, Dr. Cesar A. dela Seña who recently retired in February of 2020, Dr. Teresita Poblete who retired on March 15, 2022, and Elin Anisha Capal Guro, CESE who was designated twice. Currently, Dr. Fema M. Abamo has been designated as the new Vice Chancellor on concurrent capacity effective January 25, 2023 by the MSU System President, Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno.