Officials from the science and technology departments of Israel and the Philippines have agreed to continue their discussions on potential cooperation in the areas of agriculture, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI) at the conclusion of the just-concluded First Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) between the two countries.
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Israel and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippines discussed priorities and potential collaboration on innovation, science, and technology during their first JCM on June 30, 2021
Avi Domb, MOST chief scientist, expressed his excitement over possible long-term cooperation and agreed to continue discussions on initially identified topics such as robotics (AI), water management (agriculture), and health (biomedical engineering and drug discovery).
Israel is listed and ranked as one of the top technological powerhouses in the world, specifically in the field of research and development, technology education, among others.
For her part, Science and Technology Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina Guevara conveyed her appreciation that the meeting is convened to discuss joint activities to be pursued under the umbrella of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Scientific Cooperation signed on September 3, 2018.
She also emphasized the importance of Israel as a valuable and priority partner for the DOST.
The Philippines said it intends to send experts to Israel for training on drip irrigation systems, biomedical engineering and drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, among others.
Both sides also discussed joint development of AI applications for government or public service and emergency response and agreed to continue talks on potential and priority areas of cooperation between Israel and the Philippines.
Aside from Domb and Guevara, others who participated in the 1st JCM were Philippine Ambassador to Tel Aviv Macairog Alberto, Pnina El-Al - Director, Culture, Education and Academic Cooperation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israel Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires Nir Balzam.