The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has formally announced on Wednesday, June 9, the inclusion of the Research and Development Leadership (RDLead) Program in its innovation landscape map.
The RDLead Program is one of the four sub-programs under the Science for Change Program (S4CP).
The DOST Innovation Landscape Map, on the other hand, was developed to showcase the reach of the various projects and programs of the DOST and its attached agencies.
DOST said that this map presents “information in an interactive geographical format” which allows users to quickly see the areas in the country covered or reached by the various offices, projects, programs, and initiatives.
The map, which was initially published in 2019, now includes 13 different DOST-funded projects and programs of the DOST and its attached agencies.
These programs are the Technology Business Incubator (TBI); Balik Scientist Program (BSP); Research and Development (R&D); Institution Development Program (IDP); OneLab; Food Innovation Center (FIC); Tuklas Lunas Development Center (TLDC) - Philippine Genome Center (PGC); DOST Centers; DOST Offices.
It also includes the four components of the Science for Change Program (S4CP) namely Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER); Business Innovation through Science and Technology (BIST); Collaborative R&D to Leverage the Philippine Economy (CRADLE); and the Research and Development Leadership Program (RDLead).
DOST said that the users have the “option to choose” which projects or programs to focus on by selecting from the list.
“Once they click on the location pin on the map, they will be provided with basic information about the program or project located in the area chosen,” DOST said.
DOST explained that for the RD Lead Program, the users “will be able to see the institution assisted, the RD Leader engaged, as well as the title of the capacity-development program.”
The RDLead Program is a capacity development program of the DOST under the S4CP which aims to enhance the human research capital in the country.
DOST said the RDLead Program serves higher education institutions (HEIs), Research and Development Institutes (RDIs), and National Government Agencies (NGAs) to develop and enhance their research capabilities.
It started in July 2018 and is implemented by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).