Metals and Engineering Innovation Centers (MEICs) have played a crucial role in boosting the competitive advantage of the metals and engineering industries in various regions by empowering the instructors and other focal personnel from partner universities.

The Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), the implementing agency of the MEIC project, seeks to establish a culture of innovation among the metals industry players by strengthening partnerships with academic institutions nationwide.

With technically-empowered faculty and personnel from the academe, partner universities are envisioned to embark on more research and development (R&D) and create more prototypes for different technology applications.

According to DOST-MIRDC, the academe’s engagement in R&D will transform local human resources into a highly-skilled, industry-ready workforce that will help increase the region’s productivity.

The latest addition to the list of MEIC project accomplishments is the successful conduct of a three-day training course on AC/DC Electricity in Automation Technology last month which sought to ensure that participants are able to describe the fundamentals of AC/DC electricity, understand electrical schematics, design and run an electrical circuit with input and output devices, and construct electrical logic circuits.

The training was attended by a total of 10 participants composed of faculty representatives from Ifugao State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Cagayan State University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.

Sharing his expertise in the field of robotics and mechatronics was Engr. Kim Paulo Orquia, Science Research Specialist II of the Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (AMERIAL) under the DOST-MIRDC. Orquia shared that the conducted training program on AC/DC in electricity automation technology will help participants hone their skills and expand their knowledge of automation, particularly in electro-pneumatics and hydraulics. Additionally, this will benefit their R&D outputs, particularly in the creation of prototype equipment.

The engagement of the private sector to provide support for R&D activities in this training course was tapped. Private companies play a crucial role in the enrichment of a country’s R&D culture. They provide insight into the state of the market and the best course of action to ensure that gaps in terms of technical capabilities are filled. As part of the immersion program, Gecar Machine Solutions, Inc., a Cavite-based private enterprise, welcomed the training participants during the completion of the training. During the participants’ immersion, they were exposed to various aspects of business operations.

With the MEIC in the regions, the DOST has already started to foster and strengthen a collaborative environment among the government, industry, and academe that will lead to a faster economic growth through more robust innovative capabilities of the metals and engineering industries in the regions.