Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña will lead the nation in celebrating the 2019 National Science and Technology Week at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from July 17 to 21.
With its theme, “Science for the People: Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Development,” the annual NSTW underscores the innovations in science and technology, products and researches that play a major chunk in achieving national development and services that can help achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
De la Peña said the festivity has become a podium for showing S&T advocacy in the country.
“The NSTW aims for its noble intent of linking the power of advanced high-tech ideas and notions to power the Philippines toward new, limitless opportunities to solve longstanding societal problems,” the secretary emphasized.
Topics and issued to be discussed at the convention include food security, energy and environment, aging society, health and medical care, S&T human resource development, equity and growth in the countryside, biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources, sustainable cities and communities, resilience and innovation, and international linkages.
The event will showcase how science and technology is addressing the UN SDGs, which aim to end global poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all, the Department of Science and Technology said in a statement.
Dotting the venue will be interactive exhibits that are free for public viewing. An array of exhibits put up by the different DOST agencies will highlight the S&T solutions for each of the 17 SDGs.
The Regional Offices booth, for example, will showcase three of these goals, namely: No Poverty (SDG 1), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).
For the No Poverty exhibit, DOST will show how the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program has contributed to poverty alleviation in the countryside.
To increase the public’s awareness about the assistance of DOST to MSMEs and communities, success stories of beneficiaries assisted by the different DOST Regional Offices will be presented in dioramas.
Majority of those stories will focus on CEST beneficiaries especially the Best CEST Awardees. CEST products will also be on display, such as bags and candles from Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City, a DOST-NCR-assisted community.
The Decent Work and Economic Growth exhibit will focus on making micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) SMARTER – Socially Responsive, Market-Oriented, Agile, Resource-Efficient, Technology-Intensive, Environment Friendly, and Resilient – through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) 2.0, with technology demonstrations featuring equipment of SETUP beneficiaries such as CNC laser marking machine, 3D printing machine and form fill seal machine.
The concept will show how DOST’s SETUP helps in increasing the capability and productivity of MSMEs and subsequently contribute to the country’s economic growth
Lastly, the Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions booth will highlight the S&T initiatives in Marawi’s Rehabilitation such as livelihood and innovation system support projects, scholarship, and complementary feeding programs for Maranaos who have been displaced by the Marawi Conflict.
These are but a few of the DOST assistance that helped the affected residents to start their lives anew.
The Regional Offices’ exhibit will also have a Gamezone area featuring interactive activities for kids, an Innovation Lounge to provide a venue for sharing of innovation best practices, training series, and technical consultancies, a Wellness Garden introducing the vertical helophyte technology used in water filtration and a Souvenir Shoppe by One Store where visitors can buy souvenir items produced by DOST beneficiaries
NSTW is celebrated every third week of July by virtue of Proclamation No. 169 of 1993, to highlight the significant contributions of science and technology to national development. It has also become a platform for heralding S&T advocacy in the country.
Furthermore, the NSTW is the perfect venue for the science community and science enthusiasts, particularly the technology developers and investors, including the S&T service providers and clients, to interact, exchange ideas, and pursue potential opportunities in technology commercialization and linkages.
Included in the NSTW celebration are the recognition of individuals in the science community who have shown great endeavors in basic and applied research, and technology transfer, promotion, and commercialization.
Also, scientific meetings, technical and investment forums, technology demonstrations, and technical tours are lined up as part of this year’s NSTW.
Admission is free and exhibits are open to the public from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.