ASEAN and India set foot in Davao City for Science, Technology and Innovation
DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES – The ASEAN-India Grassroots Innovation Forum and the ASEAN-India 2nd InnoTech Summit were hosted by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippines, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – India, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India with support of the ASEAN-India Business Council on 20-22 November 2019 at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City.
The three-day event boasted the participation of 720 delegates comprised of stakeholders from the government, industry, and academe sectors from the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam together with the ASEAN Dialogue Partner being India.
The Summit and Forum highlighted the successful and prosperous ASEAN-India relations particularly in the fields of science, technology and innovation (STI) aimed at building capacity between the regions, exploring various areas of collaboration, and promoting grassroots innovation to a wider community.
The event was attended by Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Department of Science and Technology – Philippines Undersecretary for Research and Development, H.E. Jaideep Mazumdar, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Republic of the Philippines, and dignitaries from the Indian and Philippine business industries including: Mr. George T. Barcelon, Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI); Mr. Johnny Chotrani, Chairman of the Philippines-India Business Council (PIBC); Dr. Alok Nath De, Co-Chair of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Science and Technology Committee and Vice-President of Samsung Electronics India; and Mr. Subrat Tripathy, CEO of Dharma Port, Adani Ports. Other notable attendees include DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation Leah J. Buendia, and DOST XI Regional Director Anthony C. Sales.
“I call on all sectors of our society to seek new opportunities to foster improved scientific, technological and innovative solutions and double down our efforts to synergize government-academe-industry partnership to bring significant changes in the region’s STI landscape,” said DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina Guevara at the opening ceremony. “We also need to build consensus on the role of STI as a driving force for sustainable development,” added Undersecretary Guevara.
The ASEAN-India 2nd InnoTech Summit held a series of sessions on various STI topics focusing on intellectual property, blue/maritime economy, AI in healthcare, water sanitation and hygiene, agri-tech startups and commercialization of technologies. Several business-to-government meetings were scheduled between AMS and Indian businessmen. Parallel to this is the ASEAN-India Grassroots Innovation which featured student and social grassroots innovators competitions. Alongside an exhibition showcasing various inventions were 90 exhibit stalls displaying diverse ASEAN and Indian technologies and MSMEs.
“I am positive that the ideas that emerged from our discussions and dialogues will eventually come into fruition to help us leverage our standing and harness our potentials to become frontrunners in science, technology and innovation,” said by DOST Assistant Secretary Buendia at the closing ceremony. “We ought to see the recommendations from this forum realized, applied or improved upon in our own countries and create or support innovative policies that spell the difference for our citizens,” she added.
From L to R: Mr. Subrat Tripathy, Dr. Alok Nath De, Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar, Usec. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Mr. George T. Barcelon, Usec. Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, and Dr. Anthony C. Sales.
Key officials from the Philippines and India with dignitaries from the business industries posed for a group photo at the opening ceremony.
A student innovator from India showcasing her innovation as Usec. Guevara and other guests of honor looks on.
Student innovators from the Philippines posed for a photo during the Student Innovation Competition.