2019 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WEEK.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena gives an overview of the 2019 National Science and Technology Week celebration at the World Trade Center on Wednesday (July 17, 2019). DOST said the celebration intends to harness the power of innovative technological ideas and concepts to help solve longstanding societal problems. Also in photo is DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara. (PNA photo by Cristina Arayata)
MANILA -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Wednesday officially opened the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The National S&T Week is being observed annually every July. The DOST regional offices also prepared various activities to celebrate the Regional S&T Week on different dates.
Everyone is invited to visit the World Trade Center, where various exhibits, product demonstrations, fora have been prepared for them.
This year's NSTW theme, "Science for the People: Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Development" showcases exhibits divided into eight clusters: (1) Food Security, Energy and Environment; (2) Aging Society, Health, and Medical Care; Cluster; (3) S&T Human Resource Development; (4) Equity and Growth in the Countryside; (5) Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of Biological Resources; (6) Sustainable Cities and Communities; (7) Resilience and Innovation; and (8) International Linkages.
"I am happy that this year's NSTW (celebration) was attended by a big crowd," remarked DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena during the opening ceremony.
He added that the occasion also served as an opportunity to recognize the achievers in science and technology. The DOST gave an award to outstanding researchers (basic and applied science) whose works were successfully commercialized.
Another highlight of the event was the launch of DOST's mobile learning facility -- the Nulab.
"We have this mobile learning facility because not all schools, even here in Metro Manila, have the equipment. So how can we say that we couldn't encourage them to do experiments, for instance, if they don't have the right facility and equipment to do an experiment?" said dela Pena.
He also mentioned that among the major challenges the DOST is facing is on the lack of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) teachers. Dela Pena added that the DOST is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to address this.
The bus used in this mobile learning facility cost around PHP12 million, according to dela Pena. "It (bus) is huge, comfortable and has lots of features," he added as he justified the amount used.
The equipment inside the bus were donated by the private sector, he said.
Dela Pena, meanwhile, said the DepEd eyes to have this kind of mobile learning facility in every region. (PNA)
