The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. led a series of scientific visits to different universities, research institutions, and laboratories in Western Australia (WA) aimed at exploring opportunities for potential partnerships in science, technology, and innovation (STI).

The Philippine delegation comprised of DOST Secretary Solidum, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna, former Foreign Affairs Secretary and Ambassador to Australia Delia Albert, and business delegates from the Philippine mining industry led by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Chairman Michael Toledo.

The Philippine delegation together with the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu in Kings Park, Perth, WA.

During the mission to WA, Secretary Solidum had the pleasure of meeting WA's Minister for Science Honorable Roger Cook, and WA's Minister for Environment and Climate Action Honorable Reece Whitby where both sides had fruitful exchange of views on the Philippines and WA’s priorities in STI, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation.

Secretary Solidum shakes hand with WA Minister for Science Hon. Roger Cook after their side meeting at the Perth Airport shortly after the welcome arrival ceremony of PR223 in Perth.

Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu and DENR Undersecretary Cuna joined Secretary Solidum during his meeting with Hon. Reece Whitby.

Apart from the high-level meetings, Secretary Solidum also visited the University of Western Australia - Oceans Institute and Institute of Agriculture, Murdoch University - Harry Butler Institute, and Curtin University - WA School of Mines where a number of possible strategic partnerships in research and capacity building activities in (1) sustainable marine and agricultural resources, (2) health and biosecurity, and (3) mining and mineral resources were explored.

A photo taken after the meeting held between DOST and UWA on 28 March 2023. Seen in the photo is Professor Kadambot Siddique, Director of UWA Institute of Agriculture, and Professor Christopher Gaudin, Director of UWA Oceans Institute. Joining Secretary Solidum are Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega and Ms. Charlotte Corbyn, Second Secretary, Australian Embassy in the Philippines.

Secretary Solidum and Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega were welcomed in Murdoch University by Professor Andrew Deeks, Vice Chancellor, and Professor Simon McKirdy, Deputy Vice Chancellor Global Engagement before the meeting on 28 March 2023. Joining them is Mr. Christopher Lim, Senior Trade Commissioner at Austrade in Manila.

The Philippine delegation visits Curtin University School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering in Kalgoorlie, WA on 29 March 2023. They were joined by the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu and representatives from Austrade office in Manila.

Moreover, Secretary Solidum also had a productive meeting with CSIRO Marine Debris Research group where both sides discussed the need for continuous innovation backed by science-based policies as tools to effectively mitigate plastic pollution in the marine environment. DOST likewise met with CSIRO Mineral Resources group and conducted benchmarking of latest technologies and researches that support smart and sustainable mining industry.

DENR Undersecretary Cuna, Dr. Britta Denise Hardesty, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Environment, Secretary Solidum, Jr., and Austalian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu posed for a group photo at the UWA Indian Ocean Marine Research Center (IOMRC) after the meeting on 27 March 2023.

Dr. Brett Molony, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Principal Research Scientist, Secretary Solidum, Dr. Sandra Occhipinti, Research Director, CSIRO Mineral Resources, and Philippine Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega posed for a group photo at CSIRO Australian Resources Research Centre in Kensington, WA after the meeting on 28 March 2023.

Secretary Solidum also had the privilege to speak before the Filipino community and business leaders in WA during the “Economic Spotlight Philippines Industry and Innovation” event which was jointly organized by the Australia Philippines Business Council, the Philippine Embassy in Australia, and Philippine Trade and Investment Center. In his speech, Secretary Solidum highlighted the Philippines' opportunities in science and technology and showcased DOST's priorities, programs, services, facilities, and innovations that support the Philippines' socioeconomic transformation agenda. The Secretary has likewise encouraged Filipino scientists, technologists, and experts in Australia to serve the country by sharing their knowledge and expertise through the Balik Scientist Program.

Secretary Solidum delivers a presentation on Philippine Opportunities on Science, Technology and Innovation at the “Economic Spotlight: Philippines Industry and Innovation” held on 28 March 2023 in Lavan, Perth, WA.

Secretary Solidum joins fellow speakers Ms. Framy Anne Browne, Director at Australia Philippines Business Council, Ms. Louissa Cotter, Vice President of Australia Philippines Business Council, Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, Philippine Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega, and DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna.

The Philippine delegation also had the opportunity to visit the Super Pit, one of Australia's largest open pit gold mines located in the historic mining town of Kalgoorlie, WA. The aim of this visit was to gain understanding of the mining operations in the Super Pit, benchmark the latest mining technologies and equipment, and learn how operators adhere to sustainable mining policies such as mine rehabilitation.

Secretary Solidum and the two Ambassadors share a light moment with Dr. Richard Alorro, Senior Lecturer at the WA School of Mines and a former DOST-SEI Scholar and Balik Scientist. Also in the photo is Dr. Jonah Gamutan, a lecturer at WA School of Mines who was a scholar of DOST-PSHS.

Secretary Solidum and Ambassador De La Vega met a group of Filipino students studying at Curtin University WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering.

The visit was facilitated by Curtin University – WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering where the delegation met a number of Filipino students - two of whom were former scholars of DOST.

A group photo taken in front of a bucket from a Komatsu PC8000 face shovel which can hold around 70 tons of ore, located at the Super Pit Lookout which is one of the most popular attractions in the Goldfields.

The four-day mission to WA was initiated by the Australian Embassy in the Philippines spearheaded by Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) office in Manila. The mission also coincided with the launching of the inaugural Manila to Perth direct flight by Philippine Airlines (PAL) that commenced on 27 March 2023 – boosting travel, economic, and scientific opportunities between the Philippines and WA.

Secretary Solidum with other Philippines and WA officials posed for a photo at the side of the PAL Airbus A321neo to mark the arrival of PR223 under the command of Captain Stanley Ng, PAL President and COO. [Photo by Courtesy of Perth Airport]

By Zymar P. Bandola, DOST-OASECIC