Press Release
July 29, 2011

FARM OUT INNOVATION TO THE COUNTRYSIDE - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to devolve its research and development (R&D) programs to the provinces and partner with regional universities to become more responsive to the country's needs.

Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, made the call during his keynote speech at the S&T Stakeholders' Summit held today at the SMX Convention Center,. The Summit was part of National Science and Technology Week organized by the DOST.

"Our SUC [State Universities and Colleges] system is one of the biggest land owners in the country. We can take advantage of that and establish R&D centers outside of Manila--where the action is," said Angara.

Angara also proposed the creation of "innovation clusters" that act as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in S&T and R&D. These clusters will include the academe, industry and government through DOST.

"Maybe it's time to put DOST at the center of our economic development. We should craft a true S&T strategy that will raise our living standards," said Angara.

Angara, chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), noted the dismal rankings of the Philippines in a global study on innovation. He cited that the country ranked 91st among 125 countries surveyed by the INSEAD Business School's Global Innovation Index 2011.

We need to leapfrog our development. We cannot be satisfied with baby steps. Let's reorient the DOST and rethink the way we innovate. Let us put DOST at the center of our economic development, hinged on innovation. Without innovations, we are going to stagnate and eventually wither away," said Angara.

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