Homegrown innovators recently staged innovative products to prospective investors even as the Department of Science and Technology gave the biggest push for this convergence.

Said convergence, dubbed “Leaders in Innovation Fellowship (LIF) Demo Day”, was held recently at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City by the Royal Academy of Engineering and AIM, with support from DOST. 

The LIF featured 15 selected technology products to exhibit and present their ideas, and to locate possible business investors and customers. Prior to that, these innovators have undergone courses for 10 months at AIM and in the United Kingdom to hone their entrepreneurial skill set by teaching them how to develop ideal business plan.

DOST Undersecretary Rowena L. Guevara said that the science department has spearheaded various programs to encourage and empower many Filipinos in terms of conducting researches, as well as product development, that could offer appropriate and timely solutions to country’s pressing problems.

She asked the public and stakeholders to look closely at these innovative products and assess how these could help in improving their respective products and services.

Guevara stated that the agency spends P 3 to 5 billion every year to fuel research and development. The last two years, she said, made them realize that the technologies they are working on are readily available for technology transfer, inspiring them to spend more on it.

“We go as far as formulating guidelines we call ‘Fairness Opinion Report’ which is necessary for any government-funded R&D so they can transfer it to their private partners. We realize that we cannot do it alone; we need partners like Royal Academy of Engineering and AIM to make these things happen,” she said.

In her remarks, Guevara was proud to announce that the ranking of the Philippines, when it comes to innovation, has climbed to number 48 from 11 in 2009.

Meanwhile, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development Executive Director Carlos Primo David agreed with Usec Guevara about “DOST’s ultimate goal of making S&T work for the country.” He said that the DOST’s goal is to reach beneficiaries and contribute to the nation’s economy through the growth of technology-based processing.

He added that since last year the DOST has developed a system called 6Ps which stands for products, patterns process, publications, people and powering.

David also expressed satisfaction over DOST researchers’ transformation in terms of teaching skills. He asked for the continued support of DOST’s partners, such as the Royal Academy of Engineering, AIM, and business sectors; and congratulated their project leaders for a job well done.

Moreover, he believes that technology in the Philippines is doing great.  “Sa siyensya, may pagasa (There is hope in science). We are shaping future leaders of Asia,” he ended.

Some of the products and services presented during the Demo day were DOST’s Food Innovation Center, AgMULA RTA Rice Transplanter Attachment for Hand Tractors, Jolt: A Home Energy System, Smart System, Relief Vent, Pinpoint, Heart Smart, Visser, and Guaviderm.


Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra, undersecretary of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for Research and Development, gives her remarks during the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship Demo Day recently at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Room in Makati City. Dr. Guevara was proud to say that there are many Filipinos who are naturally innovative and creative, and the government and private sectors just have to empower them. She asked the public and stakeholders to look closely at these innovative products and assess how these could help in improving their respective products and services. (Photo from AIM Facebook Page)


Developers of JOLT, a power hub with dual-mode chargers and solar panels that can  be integrated into a home energy storage, communications and security system, answer the inquiry of one of the attendees of Leaders in Innovation Fellowship Demo Day last August 05 at Asian Institute of Management Conference Room in Makati City. (Photo from AIM Facebook Page)