Visiting Research Associates Program
The Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) is a research organization of the School of Social Sciences of the Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University. The IPC advances the University’s mission and goals by generating knowledge that helps deepen the understanding of cultures and societies; improve the quality of life of disadvantaged groups; and build a more peaceful, just, and equitable society in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the rest of the world. It employs and develops methodologies and procedures of the social sciences. In relating research and training to critical development concerns, the IPC emphasizes investigations that help government agencies and civil society enhance their capabilities for addressing field-level program needs. Given its academic character, the IPC provides established and young scholars with facilities and conditions conducive to research, as well as channels for its subsequent publication.
As a nonstock, nonprofit, private educational institution, the IPC supports its research activities with funds derived from internal or external sources. It insists on freedom to investigate what it wishes, publish what it finds, and name the sources of its support.
Background
The IPC’s Visiting Research Associates (VRA) Program encourages and facilitates studies of Philippine society and culture by scholars who are not regular members of the IPC staff. The IPC welcomes VRAs who wish to do research in any discipline of the social sciences or humanities. Thus, it has assisted scholars whose major interests are anthropology, art, communication, economics, history, linguistics, music, political science, psychology, and sociology.
VRA appointments are generally granted to post-doctoral fellows, doctoral candidates, and other experienced scholars from the Philippines or abroad. While being a VRA offers a formal link with the Institute, the affiliation does not include any salary or stipend; neither does it signify employment with the IPC.
Application for Appointment
To apply for an appointment, a researcher writes a formal letter of request to the Associate Director for Research, enclosing one copy of each of these documents:
- Research proposal, including the tentative timetable;
- Certification of source of research funds and the approved budget;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Certification by the home institution of one’s status there; and
- Letter of recommendation from the immediate supervisor (applicable only to graduate students).
To apply for an extension of stay for the same study, a researcher writes a formal letter of request to the IPC Associate Director for Research, enclosing a revised tentative timetable and certification of source of research funds or bank statement.
VRAs from Abroad
A non-Filipino VRA residing in a country other than the Philippines applies for a special non-immigrant visa, defined in Section 47 (a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended. It is granted to visitors to the Philippines whose activities are likely to benefit the nation. Among the recipients of this special visa are scholars who have obtained formal appointments from the IPC (Order No. 14-68, Department of Foreign Affairs [DFA], Republic of the Philippines).
The VRA is granted this visa gratis upon presentation of a letter of appointment and accompanying documents to a Philippine Consul in the VRA’s home country. In cases where the consulate requests further confirmation of the IPC appointment, the VRA immediately communicates this request to the IPC.
Soon after his/her arrival in the Philippines, the VRA, with assistance from an IPC staff/travel agency, applies for an Official Status of Stay (OSS) at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Once the OSS is granted, the VRA proceeds to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) to have his/her passport stamped and to obtain an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR). The VRA is also advised to apply for a Special Return Certificate (SRC) at BID if he/she plans to go in and out of the Philippines. The VRA then gives the IPC a photocopy of the OSS and the ACR. To apply for OSS extension, the VRA goes to DOJ and once grated the extension, brings his/her passport to BID for stamping. The VRA goes to BID for annual reporting if he/she is still in the Philippines the following year within the period of his/her affiliation.
Unless requested to do so, the IPC does not meet incoming VRAs upon arrival. Normally, VRAs enter the country on their own and visit the IPC as soon as possible.
Affiliation Procedure
Upon presenting himself/herself at the IPC, the VRA meets the Associate Director for Research who will acquaint the VRA to procedural matters related to the VRA’s visa and with the Institute’s facilities and key personnel. An orientation meeting with the IPC Director is subsequently arranged.
Procedural matters include the VRA’s formal registration with the IPC and the payment of an affiliation fee of P10,000.00 covering a six-month period. Extension of affiliation entails an additional fee of P7,500.00 for the next 6 months or a fraction thereof.
Toward the end of the VRA’s term of appointment, the Associate Director for Research initiates clearance procedures.
Services
An IPC affiliation gives the VRA access to the following:
- Researcher’s visa (for non-Filipinos)
- Information and advice on matters within the capability/expertise of the staff;
- Referrals to people qualified to assist him/her in particular areas;
- Handling of letters and other communications;
- Use of telephone for local calls; and
- Assistance in personnel recruitment
To avail himself/herself of other services, the VRA pays the necessary fees. Where regular accounting services are needed because of the expected volume and regularity of transactions, the VRA is asked to make an advance payment commensurate to the anticipated schedule of services needed.
VRAs are charged for the following:
- Office space (P1,500.00 per month);
- Office supplies;
- Communications (postage, fax, email, long distance and overseas calls);
- Technical services (artwork, editing); and
- Research assistance
Conditions
A VRA is expected to comply with certain conditions when relating with the Philippine academic community, the IPC, and the general public. As a contribution to scholarly concerns, the VRA is requested to give at least one lecture to an academic group, at which the nature of his/her research, the findings, and the tentative conclusions are presented.
Within one year after the termination of the appointment, the VRA contributes an article based on his/her research for possible publication in the IPC Culture and Development Series, or another local journal suggested by the IPC Director. Moreover, whenever the VRA publishes an article or a book, in whole or in part, on the research accomplished during the VRA appointment, he/she is expected to acknowledge the IPC’s assistance in a statement like the following: “The research was accomplished while the author was a visiting Research Associate of the Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University.”
A copy of such publications is donated to IPC.
The IPC may ask VRAs to write periodic reports and participate in occasional consultations. Research reports are submitted to the IPC Director at six-month intervals, providing brief narrative accounts of the VRA’s progress and problems in his/her research. A final written report is also expected, but this may be equivalent tot he lecture mentioned earlier. With the permission of the IPC Director, the IPC staff may engage in consultations with the VRA for a maximum of eight hours per month.
Finally, the VRA is expected to conduct himself/herself in a manner that is not threatening to his/her research performance and the friendly relations that exist between the Philippines and other countries, or between the IPC and other local agencies or individuals. Should the IPC find reasonable evidence that the VRA’s public behavior endangers his/her research work, or is likely to generate resentment among agencies or individuals with whom the VRA interacts, the IPC shall inform the VRA of this and advise him/her accordingly.
Upon completion of his/her research visit, the VRA becomes part of an IPC network of “alumni/ae” or “Friends of the IPC” in their countries. In this capacity, they are encouraged to promote a better understanding of Philippine society and culture in their countries and to inform other scholars about the IPC.
Institute of Philippine Culture
Frank Lynch Hall
Social Development Complex
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City, Philippines
Telefax: (63 2) 426 6001 loc. 4651
Email: ipc@admu.edu.ph
www.ipc-ateneo.org