The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will display world-class technology during the virtual Eastern Visayas Regional Science and Technology Week, which is expected to attract 500 participants from various industries. The series of fora, training, seminars and virtual displays is expected to attract micro, small, and medium businesses, scientists and technologists, investors, academe, and industry representatives.
“Through this event, we will showcase DOST’s activities and accomplishments in Eastern Visayas in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders in our mission to bring science closer to the people,” DOST regional director Ernesto Granada said in a statement.
The National Science and Technology Week is an annual event sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology with the goal of recognising the contributions of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to the country’s long-term development by highlighting several scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations.
According to Granada, this is the second year that the DOST would organise the event virtually because large gatherings are still discouraged during the pandemic. “Despite the distance, we are one in celebrating the triumphs of the scientific community and the fruits of the hard work of our Filipino scientists, researchers, innovators, and engineers,” Granada added.
At least 20 innovations will be displayed during the week-long expo, according to Ramil Uy, DOST regional information officer. Lectures cover a wide range of subjects. Some of these technologies are being developed to address the current health crisis. We want to make people more aware of these technologies. Health and nutrition, industrial competitiveness, enterprise development, disaster management, and risk reduction, education, and agriculture, among other fields, have high impact technologies and research and development initiatives.
In addition, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will open its first Science Centrum Interactive Exhibit in Eastern Visayas, which will feature noteworthy science, technology, and innovations (STI).
In an interview on Tuesday, DOST regional director Ernesto Granada said the launch is one of the highlights of the regional science and technology week celebration. According to Granada, it will include thematic interactive displays in the fields of renewable energy, agriculture, aquaculture sciences, and natural resources.
Furthermore, the exhibit will pique the interest of young minds and inspire them to learn more about science and appreciate how awesome science works. It will undoubtedly stimulate youth interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, assisting the country in developing a scientific and technological culture.
OpenGov Asia reported the Philippine Foresight on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) was recently handed over by the National Academy of Science and Technology to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The “Pagtanaw 2050” foresight was a project of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for about PHP7.4 million.
“This will serve as a guiding principle that will enable the science community to assist in shaping the Philippines as a progressive archipelagic nation,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña during the virtual turnover. “Pagtanaw 2050” is the first inter-and trans-disciplinary STI foresight and strategic plan to harness S&T as tools for innovations in products, processes, and organisations to achieve a chosen and united future.
Most of the activities essential to the development of the foresee were undertaken virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic constraints. The SWOT analysis, survey, scenario planning workshop, and development of the STI roadmaps drew 335 participants from a variety of public and commercial stakeholder entities.
“This is also a compendium of STI outputs, global and emerging technologies. This will serve as a blueprint for all agencies to carry out their mandates,” de la Peña added. NEDA Secretary Karl Chua acknowledged the need to continuously evolve to make the country more resilient. The foresight, he said, is an outlook of possible development scenarios.
