The Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI) has decided to spearhead a 240-hour online program that would promote science, technology and innovation (STI) culture for textile research among students in higher education institutions (HEIs).
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the PTRI, through its Research and Development Division will conduct an online program in response to the requests of students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) for a possible online internship.
“This year, with a surge in inquiries, the Institute, through its Research and Development Division, will spearhead a 240-hour online program that will provide lectures on key topics to include bibliographic referencing system, intellectual property, patent search, and patent search report preparation, experimental design, research presentation materials; interactions, attendance to meetings and breakout activities for the particular research topic,” he said in a report.
He recalled that before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the the PTRI hosted, on an annual basis, a good number of students for the completion of their course of studies either through open laboratory, joint research undertaking, or on-the-job training (OJT) with their respective academic institutions.
The DOST chief said over 30 students taking up chemical engineering, materials science engineering, and biology students from PLM and AdMU requested for a possible online internship.
In a preliminary meeting initiated by the Institute, students were asked for a brief self-introduction, research background, and required hours for the internship.
“Ten students will be mentored under the program noting some notable researches of the students will be on natural dyes, materials science, non woven textile, and bamboo,” de la Peña said.
He said the program provides the Institute with the opportunity to remain connected and engaged with the shaping of academic research and development (R&D) for young minds into textiles.
“The engagement will be covered by a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between DOST-PTRI and the universities and will culminate in a colloquium which will bring together the research interest of, and application of learnings by the student, a really good way to prepare the young academics for a dive into the culture of R&D in the context of STI,” he said