Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
DOST, MSU unveils P10.07-M Optoelectronics lab in Marawi, looks to inspire future innovators in the region
Philippines
National
DOST, MSU unveils P10.07-M Optoelectronics lab in Marawi, looks to inspire future innovators in the region
DOST, MSU unveils P10.07-M Optoelectronics lab in Marawi, looks to inspire future innovators in the region
By Dhel Nazario
Published Feb 27, 2023 07:16 am
The Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), together with the Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi Campus has unveiled a P10.07 million Optoelectronics Science Laboratory, aiming to boost the physics program in the region.
According to DOST-PCIEERD, the MSU Marawi Optoelectronics Laboratory is a first-of-its-kind in the region, put up to provide faculty researchers, graduate, and undergraduate physics students, as well as those from the BARMM, Region 10, and businesses in Iligan and Cagayan De Oro, with a research facility that can inspire them to come up with innovations in the region.
Project Leader Dr. Florencio Recoleto, Jr., emphasized the importance of the laboratory for MSU's physics program.
"The facility is also accessible to our PhD residents, who can use the laboratory to the fullest extent possible and leverage the quality of education in the region when it comes to nanoscience," said Recoleto.
DOST Secretary, Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., urged Mindanao State University's researchers and innovators to assist the agency actively and continuously in its pursuit of science, technology, and innovation, particularly in higher education institutions and state universities and colleges.
"We are extremely pleased that we can increase the workforce of the country through initiatives like this, which can lead to local and international collaborations as well as boost interest in research, product development, and product outputs because of the facility's presence," he said.
The project was funded under the DOST PCIEERD’s Institutional Development Program to enable local scientists to conduct research on emerging technologies. The MSU Marawi Optoelectronics Laboratory will film the deposition of various metals, including copper, palladium, and gold, and coatings for more robust materials, anti-wear, anti-thrust, and heat resistance. Optoelectronic devices like solar cells, semiconductors, LEDs, diode lasers, and transistors will also be produced.
In an interview, DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit stated that this project started off with a discussion with the Department of Physics of MSU with an aim to enhance their physics program.
"Because of course, they actually have a long history of good work on physics. In fact, in the 70s, if I may say, it was like parang the Mecca of physics research in the Philippines and we wanted to maintain it that way, by making sure that they have the facilities in place to provide educational as well as scientific capabilities to students, for researchers, and faculty," he added.
"Supporting facilities is part of PCIEERD’s commitment to enable researchers in the region, particularly our students, to realize their full potential for advancing science and making an impact," he added.
He also mentioned that "the science our innovators and researchers generate should ultimately redound to our people and create ripples for rebuilding and empowering communities such as Southern Mindanao”.
With regard to the location, Paringit explained that they chose MSU in Marawi because they wanted to drive development in the regions and that they recognize the dedication of the researchers who come back to their own host institutions.
"They could have sought greener pastures elsewhere with the degree that they have. Because they recognize the value of providing good education to the future scientists and researchers in the country," he explained.
Paringit also mentioned that their expectation is that this will serve as the building blocks of the development of innovation in this part of the country. He added that they are also looking at being able to inspire the next generation of innovators that will make an impact on the community.
The laboratory will provide a platform for researchers and students to collaborate on projects that will significantly impact the region and the country.
The MSU Marawi Optoelectronics Laboratory is one of the 45 facilities funded by the DOST-PCIEERD IDP in the country in the last eight years.
According to DOST-PCIEERD, the MSU Marawi Optoelectronics Laboratory is a first-of-its-kind in the region, put up to provide faculty researchers, graduate, and undergraduate physics students, as well as those from the BARMM, Region 10, and businesses in Iligan and Cagayan De Oro, with a research facility that can inspire them to come up with innovations in the region.
Project Leader Dr. Florencio Recoleto, Jr., emphasized the importance of the laboratory for MSU's physics program.
"The facility is also accessible to our PhD residents, who can use the laboratory to the fullest extent possible and leverage the quality of education in the region when it comes to nanoscience," said Recoleto.
DOST Secretary, Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., urged Mindanao State University's researchers and innovators to assist the agency actively and continuously in its pursuit of science, technology, and innovation, particularly in higher education institutions and state universities and colleges.
"We are extremely pleased that we can increase the workforce of the country through initiatives like this, which can lead to local and international collaborations as well as boost interest in research, product development, and product outputs because of the facility's presence," he said.
The project was funded under the DOST PCIEERD’s Institutional Development Program to enable local scientists to conduct research on emerging technologies. The MSU Marawi Optoelectronics Laboratory will film the deposition of various metals, including copper, palladium, and gold, and coatings for more robust materials, anti-wear, anti-thrust, and heat resistance. Optoelectronic devices like solar cells, semiconductors, LEDs, diode lasers, and transistors will also be produced.
In an interview, DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit stated that this project started off with a discussion with the Department of Physics of MSU with an aim to enhance their physics program.
"Because of course, they actually have a long history of good work on physics. In fact, in the 70s, if I may say, it was like parang the Mecca of physics research in the Philippines and we wanted to maintain it that way, by making sure that they have the facilities in place to provide educational as well as scientific capabilities to students, for researchers, and faculty," he added.
"Supporting facilities is part of PCIEERD’s commitment to enable researchers in the region, particularly our students, to realize their full potential for advancing science and making an impact," he added.
He also mentioned that "the science our innovators and researchers generate should ultimately redound to our people and create ripples for rebuilding and empowering communities such as Southern Mindanao”.
With regard to the location, Paringit explained that they chose MSU in Marawi because they wanted to drive development in the regions and that they recognize the dedication of the researchers who come back to their own host institutions.
"They could have sought greener pastures elsewhere with the degree that they have. Because they recognize the value of providing good education to the future scientists and researchers in the country," he explained.
Paringit also mentioned that their expectation is that this will serve as the building blocks of the development of innovation in this part of the country. He added that they are also looking at being able to inspire the next generation of innovators that will make an impact on the community.
The laboratory will provide a platform for researchers and students to collaborate on projects that will significantly impact the region and the country.
The MSU Marawi Optoelectronics Laboratory is one of the 45 facilities funded by the DOST-PCIEERD IDP in the country in the last eight years.