From math Olympiads to robotics competitions, Filipino students have been consistently making their mark in the international arena thanks to the tireless efforts of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and its educational partners—some of whom have been the agency’s allies for well over two decades.
The Institute and its partners recently reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony on 14 April 2021. The entire event was held online, a poignant reminder of the unusual circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as of the determination and creativity of the various agencies to overcome these challenges.
“While Filipinos will always be known for our resiliency, it’s time that we thrived beyond that,” said DOST-SEI Director Josette T. Biyo. “We are thankful to our partners for helping us and our Filipino youth to grow into something bigger and brighter, through STEM.”
Dir. Biyo presided over the ceremony, with long-time partners in attendance including National Olympiad in Informatics, Philippines; the Asian MathSci League, Inc.; FELTA Multi-Media, Inc.; the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild, Philippines; the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology; the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology; the Philippine Meterological Society, Inc.; the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, Inc.; and the Mathematical Society of the Philippines.
“Though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the educational landscape around the world, we look forward to continue to inspire our youth to pursue STEM careers by showing them that they have the capability to win against all odds in international competitions,” Dir. Biyo concluded.
DOST-PCIEERD unveils 100 completed innovative projects
As the Philippines commemorate the National Innovation Day, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) unveiled Thursday (April 22) 100 completed innovative projects aimed at helping Filipinos through research, development, and innovation.
At the virtual opening ceremony of the 2021 Philippine Research, Development, and Innovation Conference (PRDIC), the Philippines’ first massive, online public presentation of research, development, and innovation projects in the industry, energy, and emerging technology sectors, DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit expressed elation over the feat of Filipino researchers who were able to come up with game-changing innovations amid the pandemic.
“We initiated this event to keep the public abreast about the development of our cutting-edge solutions that help us usher in the next wave of growth and prosperity. It is through science and technology that we can get our way out of this crisis. Through this conference, we hope that the public becomes more aware of the important role that R&D plays in society – anywhere from communication, transportation, disaster mitigation, food production, medical applications, and many more,” Paringit said.
During his presentation, Dr. Paringit shared that for the past 10 years, DOST and PCIEERD funded a total of 2,546 projects across the different regions that amounts to more than P17 billion. This covers R&D projects on artificial intelligence (AI); biotechnology; construction; creative industries; disaster mitigation; electronics technology; energy; environment; food; genomics; human security; information and communications technology (ICT); information dissemination and promotion; infrastructure development program; institution development program; material science; metals and engineering; mining and minerals; nanotechnology; photonics; process; space technology; and transportation.
From all these, the top five sectors the council has supported are in space technology applications utilizing 29.14 percent of DOST-PCIEERD’s Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Program, followed by food (9.62 percent), disaster mitigation (8.57 percent), process (6.82 percent), and material science (4.69 percent).
The DOST-PCIEERD executive director also mentioned some of the council’s completed projects, which included ready-to-eat retort foods, spray-dried powder dextran and high fructose syrup, halal chicken and chicken by-products, and severe weather amphibious navigator using local abaca, which showcased the country’s homegrown technologies and innovation.
“We are doing this to win the hearts and minds of our fellow Filipinos towards leaning on our own locally developed innovations. With greater technology adoption, we can enhance citizen experiences, help them overcome challenges and together further advance science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the Philippines,” he said.
Despite the many achievements of Filipino scientists and researchers, Dr. Paringit emphasized that there is still much to be done, especially in terms of technology adoption and transfer for some particular sectors, thus imploring stakeholders to continue collaborating with the science and technology community.
“We hope that stakeholders see PCIEERD as a valued and leading partner in enabling innovations, PCIEERD will continue to champion and support worthy research projects and capacity-building activities all for our collective aspiration for economic growth, social progress, and environmental equilibrium,” he concluded.
The event recording may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/dostpcieerd/videos/501237427567700
DOST-PCIEERD to support women social entrepreneurs As the Philippines celebrates the National Women’s Month, the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) is opening doors to support women entrepreneurs access technology solutions for their businesses.
Through the Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises or WHWise Program, DOST-PCIEERD said that this is a public-private partnership initiative that brings together government agencies and private organizations to seek out and prepare women-led social enterprises for growth, scalability, and subsequent venture capital funding. More importantly, The DOST-PCIEERD shall connect these women entrepreneurs to the science community and provide access to technology assistance so even the most rural women can be part of the global economy.
The WHWise Program offers a suite of services including early-stage funding, training, skills development, mentorship, and business incubation.
DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit expressed optimism that the program can help Filipina entrepreneurs access available opportunities that can empower their businesses.
“As leader and partner in enabling innovations, we hope this program can encourage our women entrepreneurs to innovate and utilize available technologies that can maximize the potentials of their businesses. This is a call for women in technology to work with women in social enterprises to spawn innovation. Women can indeed make a change in our society” he said.
Paringit said the program is open to all women-led social enterprises across the country and encourage women entrepreneurs in the regions to fully participate. The DOST-PCIEERD is also open to partnerships with private organizations focusing on women entrepreneurs that are willing to lend a hand to further help the grantees of this program.
A detailed capsule (or full-blown) proposal must be submitted to DOST-PCIEERD through the DPMIS portal, www://dpmis.dost.gov.ph, from June 1 to 30, 2021 but Call Conferences shall be held in April and May to explain the proposal format, mechanics and other requirements related to the grant. Schedules of Call Conferences for the WHWise Program shall be announced in the DOST-PCIEERD FB page.
Requirements for the proposal include the following:
- Letter of Intent and Endorsement from the head of the institution addressed to:
DR. ENRICO C. PARINGIT
Executive Director
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
4th and 5th Level, Science Heritage Building, DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City 1631
- Detailed DOST-GIA Proposal Format through the DPMIS
- Supplementary Files uploaded:
- Scientific Basis/Theoretical Framework
- Workplan
- Gender and Development Score
- Details of Line-Item Budget
- Risk Management Plan
- Curriculum Vitae of Proponent/Project Leader