Three webinars on textile and fashion innovations will be hosted by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on 25 November 2020, at 1PM, as part of the first-ever virtual celebration of the 2020 National Science and Technology Week.
Textile production continues to speed up and rise with the increasing demand and fast fashion trend, so no wonder why textile manufacturing is seen to rank between second and third as source of pollution globally. Because of this notion, the webinar aims to promote awareness on sustainability initiatives of international organizations, industries and other players in the textile and fashion industries, and encourage collaborative action towards the attainment of sustainable development goals.
Dr. Rene van Berkel, representing the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) India, will talk on the international perspectives on sustainable solutions for textiles and fashion, which highlights the accomplishments and forward plans of the textile industry worldwide to achieve the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The Garment-to-Garment Recycling System developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (KHRITA) will also be discussed by its Director for Project Development Dr. Gloria Yao with her talk titled, “Textile Recycling: Applied R&D in the Circular Textile Economy”.
Lastly, Director Celia B. Elumba of the DOST-PTRI will present the institute’s programs on research and development of sustainable textile materials with her topic titled, “TELA Model for Sustainable Textile Development”.
The webinar can only accommodate 500 participants, hence the public is requested to go to https://bit.ly/2JsvoaM to do an early registration or register at www.nstw 2020.dost.gov.ph The registrants shall receive confirmation email containing information on joining the webinar series via the Zoom platform.
Catch this webinar and other exciting virtual fora, activities and exhibits at the 2020 National Science and Technology Week from 23-29 November 2020 via www.nstw.dost.gov.ph or visit the 2020 NSTW Facebook page, or use the hashtags #2020NSTW and #ScienceForThePeople./// Lanquin Seyer R. Gacusa, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service
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DOST-SEI OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON SCHOLARS’ STIPENDS
The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) would like to assure the public and all stakeholders of its continuing commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of all our scholars amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We recently consulted with the various universities under the National Science Consortium (NSC) towards revisiting our existing policies and revising these where possible so as to help our scholars better cope with these trying times.
In particular, we are looking at ways to help our scholars receive funding in a more timely manner given the adjustments and concessions that universities have had to undertake in the wake of the pandemic. We are also revisiting our policies on the disbursement of funds so as to better provide for their needs above and beyond the demands of the classroom—an urgent concern, given how many of them have been thrust into the thick of research early in their programs.
We recognize that the unusual circumstances of the ongoing pandemic have necessitated major changes and adjustments across all sectors of society, and it behooves us to join hands with our scholars and stakeholders in working through this temporary period of upheaval and uncertainty.
The stipends for current undergraduate and graduate scholars were already released in full in the latter half of this year. Meanwhile, we are working for the prompt release of stipends for new scholars within the coming months. As we make these adjustments, we look forward to improving our services through constant dialogue with the NSC, our scholars, and stakeholders.
DOST-SEI remains committed to working towards a COVID-free society, with science in full service of the Filipino people.
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Laguna rubber producers expected to bounce back strong with DOST aid
By Joy M. Lazcano, DOST-STII S&T Media Service
A Laguna based rubber plantation gets a boost from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as it sets to roll-out its production in Southern Luzon with improved facility.
During its virtual launch, DOST Regional Office IV-A led the unveiling of the rubber latex drying facility that is expected to provide the members of the Southern Tagalog Rubber Producers Cooperative (STRPC) a cost-effective drying facility for the processed latex harvested from the 136 hectares of rubber plantation in the Municipality of Cavinti in the province of Laguna.
The dryer was developed by the DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI). It is environment-friendly as it uses organic materials such as chopped woods, wood pellets, or grass clippings for fuel and has a capacity of 200 kilograms per loading.
According to DOST Region IV-A director Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal, “the industry of rubber latex is a promising economic enterprise for our farmers in the countryside that could be greatly improved by science, technology, and innovation.”
He added that out of the 136 hectares of land, an initial 10 hectares were planted with tappable (ready for harvest) rubber trees. Interestingly, the number of hectarage to be planted with rubber trees will increase in the succeeding years to cover the vast area to increase rubber production.
Aside from the dryer, DOST also provided the rubber sheeter and baler machines to be used in the processing of tapped rubber milk. As added support to upgrade their knowledge in rubber production, DOST- FPRDI conducted an intensive training for the cooperative members on the proper tapping method and efficient rubber processing.
Prior to the DOST intervention, the STRPC uses the crude sun drying method that often resulted in inconsistencies in the quality, thus generating a low price for their produce.
The assistance was provided under the DOST’s Grants-In-Aid program, which provides grants for the implementation of programs or projects that are under the current DOST list of priorities and thrust that supports knowledge and technological diffusion.
In her message, DOST Undersecretary Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano mentioned that seeing how the farmers from the countryside persevere in their craft, “this is the reason why DOST is working doubly, or triple hard so that it will be able to provide livelihood and development in the countryside.”
The virtual launch of the rubber latex drying facility is one of the various activities slated in the celebration of the 2020 National Science and Technology Week from 23-29 November 2020. This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Agham at Teknolohiya: Sandigan ng Kalusugan, Kaayusan, Kabuhayan, at Kinabukasan” that will feature a series of webinars, career talks, film showing, technology launching, and above all, the virtual exhibit of all DOST technologies.
For more information on the many DOST technologies, you can visit www.nstw.dost.gov.ph and don’t forget to follow our official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/2020nstw and share our post and use the hashtag #2020NSTW #ScienceForThePeople.
You may also send your inquiries at nstw2020.promotions@gmail.com.
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