Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to direct their research projects toward solving key challenges facing the country today, such as disaster mitigation and food security. Angara called for a more relevant DOST during a discussion forum today hosted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the DOST.

MANILA, Philippines — To boost the country’s drive for growth and global competitiveness, the higher educational system in the Philippines needs to be more responsive to labor market demands and the economy and address skill gaps, improve the quality of higher education graduates, and increasing research relevant to economic needs in a few universities or departments, a World Bank report suggested.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara has proposed the creation of innovation clusters for state universities and colleges (SUC's) in order to boost their capacity for research and development (R&D) and make the fruits of this research available to more people.

Dear Friends of the Brain Gain Network,

Tomorrow’s talk (dated November 26) by Alvin Gendrano (Microsoft US) on Cloud Computing Trends: Opportunities for Philippine Research, Startups and Businesses in De La Salle University from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon has been moved to December.

We are sorry for this late advisory. We shall inform you of the new date as soon as we receive final details from Mr. Gendrano and the organizers from De La Salle. Thank you. 

Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that the government needs to make a push towards funding programs that would create more Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) holders in science and engineering in order to help make the Philippines more globally competitive.

Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), said that a report by the commission listed the lack of high level S&T and engineering degree holders as one of the foremost reasons why the country is lagging behind in terms of S&T development.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called for a renewed push to make the Philippines more competitive by developing a strategy for the science and technology sector to improve the capacity for innovation and spur job creation in the country.