Tuesday, May 30, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Spotlight

University Research Co. President Earl Gast engages with dev’t programs in PH during visit

The StandardbyThe Standard
September 27, 2022, 10:07 pm
in Spotlight
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

In 1965, the founding members of the University Research Co. (URC) envisioned a better world. With this idealism, URC set out to provide pragmatic solutions to improve the quality of life and well-being of people around the world.

Since then, URC has earned a reputation for success in health care quality improvement. Today, URC has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide and has implemented projects in more than 90 countries, including the Philippines.

“Our mission in the Philippines and other countries where we operate is to help build and sustain resilient health systems by supporting local partners in implementing science-driven, scalable solutions,” Gast said.

For Gast, his recent visit to the Philippines from URC headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, brought nostalgia and pride. He began his career with USAID in the Philippines.

From the Philippines to Iraq to Rome

In 1990, Gast’s career began as a project development officer for USAID/Philippines. His work in the Philippines helped shape pivotal policies in public-private partnerships, opening doors for investment in the energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors.

Next, Gast next was one of the first USAID employees stationed in Iraq. As the mission’s deputy director from April 2003 to March 2004, he helped launch operations and manage a $2.2 billion reconstruction program in the country. After a successful tour in Iraq, he served as the USAID representative to the U.N. agencies in Rome in 2004.

In 2014, he pursued private equity opportunities and advised international companies on their investment strategies. But he became nostalgic for his earlier roles.

“I was really missing international development,” Gast said. “It is all about helping people, systems, and countries improve. It’s exciting being involved in private equity, the excitement of getting a deal done; but it’s really the human development aspect that interests me.”

People-centered Leadership

With his career in international development, Gast had worked in more than 30 countries, meeting and collaborating with people from all walks of life.

“Many conversations about development are technical solutions, but ultimately it comes down to people,” he emphasized. “It’s really amazing for me because … when we get into debates, when we discuss ideas, and when we discuss approaches, we are hearing things from different cultures and different perspectives. I find that to be very enriching.”

Understanding cultures proved important in leading people in countries such as the Philippines.

“In Filipino culture, being direct can be seen as being rude and abrupt. I had to alter my management and leadership style and adjust to the culture,” Gast said. “I have probably honed over the years the ability to understand cultures and understand how to get things done in diverse cultural settings.”

Improving Health Systems in the Philippines

URC’s work in the Philippines began in 2007 with the USAID Health Promotion and Communication Project, which aimed to promote and sustain health-seeking behaviors related to maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition, family planning, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS.

In 2019, USAID selected URC to initiate multiple new projects. These are:

•       TB Platforms for Sustainable TB Detection, Care and Treatment Project (TB Platforms), which is increasing TB detection and treatment success rates in three regions – National Capitol Region, Region 4A, and Region 3 – and Marawi City;

•       BARMMHealth, which is improving access to quality family planning, maternal and child health, and adolescent reproductive health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; and

•       RenewHealth, which is expanding access to community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) in the Philippines.

RenewHealth is a unique and innovative project for USAID in the Philippines. To reach project goals, URC focused on evidence-based interventions and developed partnerships with national and local government agencies to implement training programs and activities – all towards a more humane and passionate approach to help treat and assist persons who use drugs and their families access treatment without fear or prejudice.

Sharing Successful Drug Rehabilitation Approaches with Local Government

While in the Philippines Gast attended the CBDR conference – CBDR Works! Stories from the Field – an event that brought together stakeholders to advocate for the value of CBDR to local chief executives and CBDR program managers; provided a venue for sharing effective CBDR practices among local government units (LGUs); and facilitated pause and reflect sessions among LGUs on successes, challenges, and ways forward to institutionalize CBDR.

Gast listened to success stories from diverse individuals and met with people responsible for rehabilitating persons who use drugs (PWUDs). He was impressed by the innovative approaches of local partners in implementing CBDR.

“I’m very excited to hear how the various departments have coalesced around the idea that this is a public health issue that has to be resourced locally and that there are local solutions,” Gast noted. “You will see that it is a different approach in each barangay and in each LGU. The principles of training are the same, but if you look at how the barangay engages with the patient, it could be through an NGO or a faith-based organization.”

Aside from RenewHealth, URC is also working toward using artificial intelligence to identify hotspots and mitigate the rising incidence of TB in the Philippines via TB Platforms. Gast also traveled to Cotabato City and met with project leads to oversee developments in the BARMMHealth program.

Now in its 15th year in the Philippines, URC has been a steadfast development partner and an enabler of change, offering, together with local partners, dynamic health systems strengthening programs that help improve the lives of Filipino people. With Gast at the helm, URC is an organization of choice for social development programs in the Philippines and globally.

Tags: University Research Co.USAID
ADVERTISEMENT
The Standard

The Standard

Related Posts

Eridanus Marketing Corporation aids young students in international competition

byManila Standard
May 30, 2023, 4:53 pm
0
8
Eridanus Marketing Corporation aids young students in international competition

Two teams of students from Santa Rosa, Laguna, emerged victorious, having won First and Second Place in the Freestyle Innovative...

Read more

Unilab releases more potent cough medicine amid COVID resurgence

byManila Standard
May 30, 2023, 1:20 am
0
8
Unilab releases more potent cough medicine amid COVID resurgence

The country’s leading and most-trusted pharmaceutical company Unilab Inc. committed to continuously developing innovative medicines, especially now that the world...

Read more

AboitizPower leads groundbreaking for new Maco de Oro science lab

byManila Standard
May 29, 2023, 4:12 pm
0
8
AboitizPower leads groundbreaking for new Maco de Oro science lab

Groundbreaking for new science laboratory.  Leading the ceremony are leaders from AboitizPower Thermal Group, Aboitiz Foundation Inc., 1001st Infantry PAG-ASA...

Read more

Beat the summer heat with Urbanize’s The Coldest Water Shaker Bottle!

byManila Standard
May 29, 2023, 4:07 pm
0
8
Beat the summer heat with Urbanize’s The Coldest Water Shaker Bottle!

Urbanize, a brand closely associated for people looking for their everyday Life Tools, has always been tried and tested to...

Read more

In Less Than 2 Years This Beauty Brand Is Making A Statement In The Beauty Industry 

byManila Standard
May 29, 2023, 3:51 pm
0
8
In Less Than 2 Years This Beauty Brand Is Making A Statement In The Beauty Industry 

Y.O.U Beauty an international brand from HEBE Beauty Cosmetics Inc. Upholding the brand philosophy of “Long-Lasting Beauty”, committed to provide...

Read more

Cebuana Lhuillier expands its affordable healthcare insurance with the launch of HealthMax

byManila Standard
May 29, 2023, 3:38 pm
0
8
Cebuana Lhuillier expands its affordable healthcare insurance with the launch of HealthMax

Making affordable HMO available for every Filipino Aside from the toll it has taken on human lives and the local...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Global Tiger adds award-winning Norton Cyber Safety Products to portfolio
  • Enhancing healthcare workers’ jobs, improving patient care in PH thru Artificial Intelligence
  • Acer announces new Swift Edge 16 with AMD Ryzen 7040 Series Processors, Wi-Fi 7
  • PXP ENERGY CORPORATION: Notice of Annual General Stockholders’ Meeting
  • Lebanon army frees kidnapped Saudi
  • Eridanus Marketing Corporation aids young students in international competition
  • Attack drones hit Moscow as Kyiv struck for third day
  • China deploys police, makes arrests after mosque clashes

Advertisement

Latest News

Eridanus Marketing Corporation aids young students in international competition

byManila Standard
May 30, 2023, 4:53 pm
0
8
Eridanus Marketing Corporation aids young students in international competition

Two teams of students from Santa Rosa, Laguna, emerged victorious, having won First and Second Place in the Freestyle Innovative...

Read more

Attack drones hit Moscow as Kyiv struck for third day

byAFP
May 30, 2023, 4:30 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

A swarm of drones hit Moscow on Tuesday in an unprecedented attack and Russian drones struck Kyiv for a third...

Read more

China deploys police, makes arrests after mosque clashes

byAFP
May 30, 2023, 4:00 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

China deployed hundreds of police and made arrests in a mostly Muslim southwestern town after clashes erupted over the planned...

Read more

On Mexico-US border, fentanyl poses growing hidden danger

byAFP
May 30, 2023, 3:30 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Elena Ruelas prepares a syringe of heroin, a drug that she has been using for 20 years. These days, however,...

Read more

Lula hosts South American leaders’ summit in Brazil

byAFP
May 30, 2023, 3:02 pm
0
8
Colonial-era walkway falls into river: India bridge collapse kills more than 130

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is hosting his fellow South American leaders Tuesday for a "retreat" aimed at...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App