The Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration is back to face-to-face setup at the World Trade Center (WTC), to be experienced once again by Filipino science enthusiasts and advocates.
According to DOST, it was in 2019 when the NSTW was held in a face-to-face set-up as thousands of Filipinos then flocked to World Trade Center in Pasay City to witness some of the latest innovations, inventions, and other S&T-related researches made by our Filipino scientists and engineers.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, DOST had no choice but to hold the NSTW celebrations, for the past two years, in a virtual format to ensure the safety of all.
Now in 2022, with the situation going back to near normal, the public can again experience, firsthand, the many surprises, positive vibes, and the memorable experience of the country’s annual S&T celebration.
Spearheaded by the DOST, the 2022 NSTW returns to the World Trade Center in Pasay City from November 23 to 27 with the theme, “Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan”.
But still, several health protocols and restrictions will be observed and implemented for the visiting public for the duration of the five-day event and the organizers will ensure that safe physical distancing and minimum health protocols are maintained and overcrowding is avoided.
This year’s S&T festivity will showcase to the public all the research and development (R&D) outputs as well as innovative products and services developed and offered by DOST agencies and regional offices that helped address the challenges brought about by the pandemic and climate change.
Exhibits will be mounted at the WTC and can be viewed on-site while forums, webinars, and virtual talks will be broadcast online so that more people can attend. Furthermore, there will be technologies to be bannered that will help the people and the country bounce back better from the pandemic.
In addition, there will be techno-products and activities that will provide a better angle on DOST innovations that respond to the pressing needs of various sectors and stakeholders towards the goal of attaining inclusive growth in the areas of agriculture and food security, health, job creation, education, energy, transportation, blue and green economy, and environmental protection. Incidentally, these programs are aligned with the current priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr’s administration.
However, unlike previous celebrations, the 2022 NSTW will be held in a hybrid format as several activities will be conducted online. A list of complete events and technologies to be featured in the 2022 NSTW will be announced in the coming weeks on the official NSTW Facebook Page and DOST website.
Meanwhile, before the nationwide S&T celebration kicks off this November, a series of regional S&T celebrations are already lined up in different provinces, some of which had already been conducted successfully.
From 1993 until 2019, the NSTW was celebrated every third week of July under Proclamation 169. However, in August 2019, by virtue of Proclamation 780 signed by former President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte, the NSTW is now celebrated every fourth week of November. The change of date was meant to ensure maximum participation of schools, students, stakeholders, and the public during the week-long celebration due to the change in the academic calendar of most universities, schools, and educational institutions.