5th ERDT Congress
5th ERDT Congress calls for intensifying
academe-industry collaboration
in the Philippines
One way by which academe may contribute to the advancement of the global competitiveness of the Philippine economy is to work with industry. More specifically, there is a need to carry out academe-industry collaboration to the level where both sectors may bring research and development to bear upon the needs of society. Academe and Industry may work together in each or all parts of the innovation engine: effective ideation, research, development, and application of technology. Here, application is used to include commercial and non-commercial uses of technology to solve problems of society. By collaborating, the two sectors may also help the evolution of research in academia towards a more needs-based and outcomes-based orientation.
To articulate the challenges, new directions, and best practices in academe-industry collaboration, the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) conducted its 5th ERDT Congress last 17 February 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City with the theme of “Intensifying Academe-Industry Collaboration for Research and Development in the Philippines.”
ERDT Program Leader Dr. Rizalinda L. De Leon welcomes the participants to the 5th ERDT Congress.
The Congress was graced by the newly appointed Dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Engineering Dr. Rizalinda L. De Leon who shall also serve as the new Program Leader of the ERDT for the next three years.
DOST Secretary Prof. Fortunato T. de la Peña challenges the participants to contribute to nation building through research and innovation.
The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Fortunato T. de la Peña, shared to the participants that our lawmakers are now showing concrete support for science and technology. In particular, he mentioned the Science for Change bill filed by Congressman Joey S. Salceda, which aims to allocate trillions of pesos for research and scholarships in the next six years. He likewise challenged the participants to contribute to four items in the ten point plan namely increasing competitiveness, promoting rural and value chain development, investing in human capital development, and promoting science and technology as well as the creative arts to strengthen innovative capacity.
USAID STRIDE Chief of Party Dr. David Hall discusses the importance of mutual trust in intensifying research collaboration between academe and industry.
USAID Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (USAID STRIDE) Chief of Party Dr. David Hall enlightened the crowd on the challenges facing academe-industry collaboration. He stressed out the value of building mutual trust and told the participants to set research aside momentarily and take a time to build friendships with industry. He also highlighted, which was also reinforced by Sec. de la Peña during the question and answer, that research must be industry-led and needs-driven.
During the parallel plenary sessions, De La Salle University Associate Professor Dr. Aristotle T. Ubando and Professor Dr. Kathleen B. Avisio shared valuable tips on how to write proposals and publish research, respectively. University of San Carlos Dean and Professor Dr. Evelyn B. Taboada and UP Associate Professor Dr. Bryan B. Pajarito presented excellent examples of research projects which involved academe-industry collaboration.
SEIPI President Dr. Danilo C. Lachica (right most) having a group photo with ERDT scholars after his well-received presentation.
Before the day ends, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) President, Dr. Danilo C. Lachica, discussed how to build and sustain R&D driven industry and stressed out the importance of working hand in hand with government and other stakeholders.
ERDT – Ateneo de Manila University Project Leader Dr. Evangeline P. Bautista closed the Congress by saying that it was indeed a very positive and productive day.
The ERDT Congress is a yearly event where ERDT scholars, faculty members, researchers, visiting professors, industry, government and other experts gather and get inspired by plenary lectures of highly distinguished professors and experts all over the world. It also seeks to provide a venue for ERDT scholars to publish their academic works through poster competition.
ERDT scholars from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology pose for a group shot after the event.
Past Congresses focused on agriculture and food security, disaster preparedness and resiliency, technopreneurship, and patents and commercialization.
