Two prestigious universities in Pampanga, the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) and Holy Angel University (HAU), welcomed the officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and showcased their technological innovations on 24 November 2021, as part of the celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week in Central Luzon.

Among the DOST officials who visited the grant universities are: Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, Usec. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Regional Director Julius Caesar V. Sicat, and Asec. Diana Ignacio.

AUF Center for Advanced Research and Innovation (AUF-CAR) 

Photo by DOST-STII

AUF President Joseph Emmanuel Angeles proudly presented their Center for Advanced Research and Innovation (CARI) to the DOST Officials. The center is envisioned to be a major contributor in providing scientific and ‘practical’ solutions to emerging and re-emerging health problems.

Project Leader Dr. Reynaldo DL Bundalian Jr. said in the project presentation that, “We emphasize the word ‘practical’ because we really would like to come up with solutions that would be felt by our communities later on.”

Guided by its goal, the center is now focused on projects that are engaged in biomaterial research that can be integrated in diagnostic systems and biomaterials, possibly for use in disease treatment.

The key activities of the research center include the development of diagnostic kits (COVID-19 Test Kits, Dengue Test Kits, Entamoeba histolytica Test Kit, Typhoid Test Kit, Rabies Immunofluorescence, and Conjugate Kit), and under the therapeutics are the isolation of antibiotic producing microbes, oral immunotherapy, and vaccine conjugate development.

Screen-grabbed from AUF AVP

One of its highlighted projects is the P900,000 project funded by the DOST-III and have been preliminary dedicated to clinical studies and for applied patent. The stated test kits can detect COVID-19 antigen and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in saliva samples. Based on the clinical studies, the current accuracy of the antigen test, in particular, is 90.85%, and this test kit will run for an hour. However, this cannot be categorized as rapid test because it is an open platform immunoassay where other laboratories can easily adopt.

DOST-III funded project proposals of HAU

Photo by Gerry Palad – DOST-STII

The Holy Angel University (HAU), led by its OIC-President Engr. Leopoldo Jaime Valdes, introduced the DOST-III funded project proposals of the institution during the visit of the DOST officials.

Funded projects include the following: Encephalon TBI (Technology Business Incubator) – where innovation is promoted and supported towards entrepreneurship and commercialization. This project has now more than 32-million-peso worth of sales revenues generated by start-ups and more than 200 jobs created. This is funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy & Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) through the Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEiRIT) Program.

Moreover, the Knowledge, Innovation and Technology Transfer Office (KITTO) – a project under the IP Management Program for Academic Institutions Commercializing Technologies (IMPACT) through DOST-PCIEERD establishes and directs intellectual property to promote and commercialize university-owned technologies. 

Lastly, there is the Design and Development of a Mechanical Garlic and Cashew Chipper – funded by the DOST-Collaborative Research & Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program, introduces the use of machine (from manual) for the small and medium scale processors in the region that addresses the need of the industry to upgrade their production process.

Photo by Gerry Palad, DOST-STII

Meanwhile, one of the proposal projects showcased in the event is the development of Multi-Mission Unmanned Aircraft System. According to Col. Ornorlie B. Brillantes, the Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Research and Development Center, this “will capacitate” their personnel in any operations and upgrade their skills. Also, Project Leader Engr. Arnaldo Gutierrez reiterated the benefits of the technology to the Philippine defense sector and can contribute greatly to the resiliency of the Philippine armed forces.

Moreover, Retired US Navy and Project Consultant, Commander Leo Almazan of the Balik Scientist Program, demonstrated and explained further the technology during the visit of Secretary de la Peña at the HAU Research Laboratory of the Secured Command and Control Communication Link System.

The said proposal project will last for two years and was funded by the DOST’s Grants-In-Aid with the fund approximately at P35M.

More similar S&T activities, forums, innovations, and new technologies are featured during the weeklong celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week that started in 22 November and will end in 28 November.  The 2021 NSTW carries the theme, “Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon”, where science, technology, and innovation are showcased to provide solutions to everyday problems of the Filipinos. Stay updated with the latest news and more developments in the S&T community by visiting the website www.nstw.dost.gov.ph or checking out the Facebook page of NSTW.(By Rachel R. Perez, DOST-STII)