Hoping to spark the interest of applicant-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to start their own ventures, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a series of pitching sessions showcasing its locally-developed technologies.
DOST on Thursday, June 10, said that its Regional Office I (DOST-I) spearheaded a three-day virtual technology pitching session of locally-developed technologies from the DOST-Planning Sectoral Councils and Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) that was held recently via the virtual platform Microsoft Teams.
The technology pitching sessions dubbed “TeknoLokal para Makabagong Bayani” aim to encourage OFWs to adopt DOST-developed technologies which will be funded under the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) Program.
The iFWD PH Program is an initiative of the DOST to help repatriated OFWs establish their own technology-based enterprises in the hope of encouraging them to settle in the Philippines for good, and in response to the increasing number of OFWs returning to the country due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
DOST said that the “TeknoLokal” series was conducted in anticipation of the Program’s Phase 1 that focuses on Capacity Building and Core Business Development sessions slated this month.
“The OFWs will be attending virtual lectures that will capacitate them to conceptualize their technology-based business proposals,” DOST said.
In May, DOST held the first session of the TeknoLokal and showcased the food technologies of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
DOST-FNRI Science Research Analyst Lea B. Landicho presented the mandates of instititute, its laboratory services, as well as the technologies that can be transferred and commercialized.
DOST-Industrial Technology and Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) Supervising Science Research Specialist Dr. Lorelle A. Baracol also discussed the technologies and innovations developed by the agency.
During the second episode of the tech pitching session, innovative technologies of the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and the DOST-Forest Products Research Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) were featured.
Lucy A. Lastimosa, Senior Science Research Specialist under the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division and the Assistant Center Manager for Innovation and Technology Center of the DOST-PCAARRD served as the resource speaker.
Likewise, Jovito A. Elec, Science Research Specialist II from the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), discussed wood processing and furniture trends.
To complete the discussions on furniture, Ivan Limjoco, an Industrial Designer of the DOST-FPRDI, presented the creative component and key furniture trends for 2021.
During the last leg of the “TeknoLokal” virtual series, the OFW-attendees learned the more innovative technologies from the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) and the DOST-Philippines Textile Research Institute (PTRI).
Engr. Mervin A. Gorospe tackled the innovations that could help enhance processes in ceramics production and the tent system that could be used for emergency situations.
Moreover, Engr. Rey N. Mariposque also talked about the machineries vital to the food and beverage processing industry.
Lastly, Evangeline Flor P. Manalang, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), pitched the Institute’s innovations apt for textile manufacturing.
OFWs interested to participate in this program, they can still submit their application through the iFWD Ph portal: https://ifwdph.dost.gov.ph or send their requirements to the DOST-I office or to the nearest DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center in their area.