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21 institutions in Western Visayas meet for research confab

By Nanette Guadalquiver

November 22, 2019, 7:47 pm

<p><strong>RESEARCH CONVENTION.</strong> One of the sessions of the 1st Western Visayas Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research Conference on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 21, 2019). The two-day gathering, which ended on Friday (Nov. 22, 2019), showcased research studies of faculty and students from the consortium’s 21-member institutions focused on the region’s three R&D clusters. <em>(PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)</em></p>

RESEARCH CONVENTION. One of the sessions of the 1st Western Visayas Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research Conference on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 21, 2019). The two-day gathering, which ended on Friday (Nov. 22, 2019), showcased research studies of faculty and students from the consortium’s 21-member institutions focused on the region’s three R&D clusters. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)

TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental -- Some 21 member-institutions of the Western Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (WVCIEERD) have converged here for the first time to showcase research studies focused on the region’s three R&D clusters. 

Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the two-day assembly held at Nature’s Village Resort, opened on Thursday with the theme “Convergence of Researches in Food, Energy and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Smart and Sustainable Cities”.

DOST 6 (Western Visayas) Assistant Director for Technical Operations Emelyn Flores said it is a milestone for the consortium to have held its first research conference since it was formed 10 years ago.

Deputy Executive Director Raul Sabularse of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) said the consortium members have gathered and shown what they can offer and their know-how to address development needs of Western Visayas.

“Coming together, it’s about talking to each other, addressing regional needs and using science and technology to (find) solutions,” Sabularse said in a press conference after the opening ceremony.

The WVCIEERD consists of various government agencies, private higher education institutions, and state universities and colleges.

Two consortium members are based in Talisay City -- the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC).

Faculty and students presented research studies based on the regional priority agenda, focusing on three clusters -- food safety and security; energy efficiency and renewable energy; and electronics, ICT and emerging technology.

The researchers competed on oral and poster presentations on Thursday and attended training sessions and seminar-workshops on Friday.

Other activities included product pitching for invited sponsors and identification of research collaborations among the member institutions.

WVCIEERD Executive Director Carmelo Ambut said with the outputs shared by the researchers, they will identify those working on specific projects and find ways to improve the areas of concern.

“We’re going to see if there are potentials as we assess their outputs to be protected, and not to be exploited, for possible incubation,” he added.

WVCIEERD chairman Aladino Moraca, president of the Central Philippines State University based in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, said the research conference is inspired to address challenges and opportunities in pressing societal needs. (PNA)


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