DOST-XI promotes Science for Change Program and membership to the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
DAVAO DEL NORTE – The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. XI (DOST-XI) successfully conducted the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Membership Forum and the Science for Change Program (S4CP) Promotion Caravan in Davao del Norte last 3 August 2021.
Through the Provincial Science and Technology Center in Davao del Norte, the event virtually gathered a total of 132 participants with almost half coming from the various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Higher Education Institutes (HERIs), and DepEd Divisions in Davao del Norte. Other participants include researchers and planners from the government (40%), various industries (12%), civil society and the media partners.
The caravan aimed to inform research partners in Davao del Norte on the NRCP membership application, its qualifications and requirements as well as to encourage stakeholders to participate in the call for proposals under the S4CP.
“Through this caravan, we hope to encourage more research partners in the province of Davao del Norte to pursue and enjoy the benefits of becoming an NRCP member. We also hope to enjoin more proposals that will qualify under the S4CP and increase our R&D investments in the provinces”, said Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III, regional director of DOST-XI.
On the other hand, Dr. Mark Ronald S. Manseguiao, a faculty member from Davao del Norte State College and a member of the NRCP Biological Sciences Division since April 2019 also shared his journey in applying and mentioned the perks he now enjoys as an NRCP member.
Moreover, Dr. Kenneth D. Barroga, Assistant Regional Director of the R&D for Development and Innovation Division, shared the objectives of NRCP, its plans, and targets for better understanding of potential members by presenting the Frontier Research Agenda and Capability Building of Researchers in Mindanao 1: NRCP Science and Technology Expert's Pool (N-STEP). The establishment of N-STEP provides a mechanism to identify highly competitive researchers, scientists, engineers, and artists (RSEAs) to develop a regional network of researchers and enable them to become critical assets that will stimulate regional development across three regions in Mindanao, specifically in Regions X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao), and XIII (CARAGA).
Funding for research and development projects and master's thesis and doctoral dissertation manuscript grants are just few of the benefits of an NRCP member. As presented by Nathanael David Abines, the N-STEP focal person, members can also publish their research in the NRCP journal. He also shared other opportunities for professional development of the experts.
Being the nation's consortium of researchers and scientists, the Council now has around 5,000 members. However, to date, there are only three members from Davao del Norte. Thus, the forum served as a platform to encourage more and more young and seasoned RSEAs in Davao del Norte to apply for membership.
Furthermore, the law under the S4CP Act recognizes research and development as vital components for growth, and will then be instrumental to helping accelerate science, technology, and innovation developments and eventually enable the country to keep up with current global technology and innovation trends. Mayan Jane J. Inni, Unit Head of the Special Projects Unit of DOST-XI, explained the focus areas or component programs of the S4CP, namely: (1) Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program, (2) R&D Leadership (RDLead) Program, (3) Collaborative R&D to Leverage PH Economy (CRADLE) for RDIs and Industry Program, and (4) Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program. Through the S4CP, the DOST can significantly accelerate STI in the country and create a massive investment in S&T Human Resource Development and R&D.
Towards the end of the event, the N-STEP Project Management Team also invited the participants to submit proposals to the upcoming Call for Proposals from August 10 to September 15, 2021. The Provincial S&T Director of PSTC Davao del Norte, Engr. Judy Donna dA. Nueva Ecija, concluded the event with a message of encouragement for the participation of the various sectors.
