PH strengthens ties with India on science, technology , innovation
DAVAO CITY (PIA) – Seeing commonalities on culture, traditions, and values, Philippines and India have strengthened ties through science, technology, and innovations with the recent Philippine hosting of the 2nd ASEAN-India Innotech Summit and the 2nd ASEAN-India Grassroots Innovation Forum held at SMX Convention Center, this city.
Philippine Chairman for the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) and DOST Usec Dr. Rowena Guevarra bared that “the Philippines endeavors to work collaboratively to make our region resilient in all areas and by strengthening the utilization of STI for economic growth. ASEAN continues to enhance cooperation with our dynamic Dialogue Partners like India who we consider important partner in making our S&T vision come true.”
Guevarra said that both Philippines and India will benefit from the recent signing of renewed cooperation during the state visit of H.E. President Ram Nath Kovind of the Republic of India to President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte last month.
The DOST sees such as creating new areas of collaboration which was demonstrated by the signing of the new “Program of Cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology for 2019-2022” between the Philippines and India.
“ Following that signing, science and technology department of Philippines and India will sit down and identify projects in the next three years. We are seeing future projects in the field of pharmaceuticals and space,” Guevarra added.
Recent efforts done by the DOST is by sending researchers to India to develop a paper to be used for Philippine money. The country hopes to manufacture its own paper for money.
Ambassador of India to the Philippines Jaideep Majumdar also announced recent agreements forged between Philippines and India that includes the establishment of a satellite technology for risk reduction in the field of agriculture. Another upcoming project is the replication of Philippines’ indigenous onion and garlic by setting up pilot farms.
Philippines’ DOST is said to have invested heavily on R&D and taking major initiatives to ensure that the output will be transpired for the betterment of the economy and society as a whole – making R&D at the core of DOST.
Meanwhile, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman George Barcelon committed to propose in next year’s ASEAN event to be hosted by Vietnam a platform where ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to share information and projects in the field of STI.
“ This way, information sharing would enable each country to learn from other member states,” Barcelon added.
DOST’s Guevarra also called all sectors of the society to always seek new opportunities to foster improved scientific, technological and innovative solutions to the challenges that confront the Filipinos.
“We might as well need to double down our efforts and synergize government-academe-industry partnership to bring significant changes in the regions’ S&T landscape and build consensus on the role of STI as a driving force for sustainable development”. (PIA/Frances Mae Macapagat)