DOST-NCR Turns Tables in Reverse Industry Pitching

“The tables have been turned.” This was the goal of the DOST-NCR’s Reverse Pitching activity dubbed as “Turning Tables: Pitching of Industry Needs for Market-Driven Research and Development (R&D) and Technology Transfer,” on August 31, 2023, organized as part of this year’s Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week.

Key figures from various industry sectors in Metro Manila pitched their needs and aspirations that can be addressed through R&D, technology transfer, or through the engagement of players in the S&T community for to come up with collaborative market-driven R&D solutions.

Industry leaders – Mr. Erel B. Narida, President of the Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines (REAP), Dr. Danilo C. Lachica, President of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc., and Mr. Apolinar Aure, SME Committee Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed their initiatives, ongoing and proposed improvements to further bring their industries into greater heights.

Reactors from the science community – Engr. Robert Dizon, Executive Director of DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), and Mr. Alvin Retamar of DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), Dr. Nuna Almanzor, Research and Development Director of Adamson University, provided their insights thereafter. Dr. Annabelle Briones, Director of DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), reiterated that one of the roles of the DOST is to partner with schools and institutions to help students to develop and improve their research projects and outputs.

At the end of the forum, participants were given multi-colored metacards where they were asked to write down their proposed technology solutions, collaborative projects, and their own thoughts based on the needs and aspirations presented.

This Turning Tables series will be conducted on a per city basis to capture the needs of the communities and industries that may be answerable by collaborative R&D, and/or technology transfer.

By: Juelrick Rodriguez, TOD-PAMAMARISAN CASTO