The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo believes that this year’s celebration of National Science and Technology Week will prove that Filipino scientists can compete not only in Asia but throughout the rest of the world.
“Many of our scientists have carved major inroads in the field of S&T over the last two years, meriting recognition from the international science community,” Montejo said in a press conference last July 10, 2015 at Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.
NSTW is an annual showcase of locally developed technologies and the country’s biggest breakthroughs in S&T presented through interactive technology exhibits, robotics, scale model displays, product displays, science career talks, science and business fora, and many more.
With its theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating for Global Competitiveness,” NSTW will highlight the country’s competitive capabilities against its neighboring ASEAN countries as the region prepares for the ASEAN Economic Integration this year.
Through its programs and the country’s skilled, highly-trained human resources, Sec. Montejo said, the Science Department will achieve its goals for agriculture, enterprises, industries, IT-business process management, government connectivity, health, education, and disaster preparedness and management.
These initiatives will make up the backbone of exhibits and activities in NSTW.
Foremost of these are Project NOAH and STARBOOKS or Science and Technology Academic Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks, recipient of the 2015 Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects from the prestigious American Library Association.
“Project NOAH, many of us know how huge the contribution of this technology is in lessening the casualties in different areas across the country during occurrences of strong typhoons,” Asec. Liboro said during the press conference.
He also cited how STARBOOKS, the first science digital library in the Philippines, addresses the limitations of underserved areas in the country. “Bringing them a digital science library that contains tons of information and does not require internet connectivity to access it, definitely would bring so much hope for the students there,” he said.
Also to be featured in NSTW are DOST-LiDAR, DOST scholarship programs, Food Innovation Centers, and the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP, another leading program of DOST.
Meanwhile, there will be talks on dengue control and prevention, faster delivery of government services to citizens, indigenous textiles, coconut scale insect management strategies, food technology, packaging innovation, e-health, bamboo technology, intelligent transport systems, fault systems, Filipina scientists’ contributions to the S&T community, among others. A workshop on science journalism for students dubbed “The Art in Science Journalism” will also be conducted.
According to DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro, several private institutions and other government agencies have reached out to the Science Department to form collaborations for some of these programs.
“This was what we dreamt when we conceptualized and formulated these programs,” said Liboro. “We ensured that at the end of the day, it will be appreciated by stakeholders because we created these to address their needs.”
NSTW is open to the public from July 24-28, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center, MOA, Pasay City. For more details, please log on to www.nstw.dost.gov.ph and www.science.ph. Like us on Facebook at NSTW2015 and use #2015NSTW. (S&T Media Service)
