Five articles were selected for this maiden issue.

Tagarino’s paper serves as an opening statement by clarifying the concept of public affairs as an area of study where the body of knowledge is created into a distinct academic science and discipline for governance. He uses brief reviews, theoretical model, and analytical framework for a better appreciation and understanding of public affairs for policy decision-making. Rola’s article explores the various applications of transdisciplinary approach in development studies by highlighting the experiences of the College of Public Affairs and Development in formulating and using the transdisciplinary approach to address development problems. It also provides a critical analysis of its application in the context of innovation systems.

Meanwhile, Amit and Querijero showcase how UPLB played its role as a partnership broker among the major players at the ground level in addressing food security concerns built on an inter-organizational relations theory and a partnership building framework. Dizon’s work provides an important contribution to the body of knowledge in community development through a discussion on the theoretical concepts and practice of community organizing including its ideological background, value orientations, and propositions. She also provides practical steps involved in community organizing based on the concept of people-centered participatory development. Bumatay presents another methodological tool in analyzing social science problems. He introduces insights and perspectives on the use of grounded theory and its potential in social development studies. Finally, a feature article by Rola et al. on the challenges of the College of Public Affairs and Development to contribute to the attainment of sustainable communities and human security highlights the College’s current thinking and track, including transdisciplinarity in its academic and research and extension programs.