CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) tackled technology transfer or the use of technology during the recent ‘Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit Visayas 2024′ held in Cebu City.
While DOST has identified four major development priorities, namely: wealth creation, wealth protection, human well-being promotion, and sustainability, DOST Research Information and Technology Transfer division chief Russell M. Pili stressed that none of these priorities will succeed if technology is not transferred and shared.
“The key to a solution is really the use. And when you do research, you’re only creating the idea generating the solution and the next logical step is to ask somebody to use it,” Pili said.
DOST Sec. Renato U. Solidum, in his video message, disclosed that tech transfer or the use of technology remains a challenge in the country.
“Despite significant investments and research and development, technology transfer remains a challenge in the Philippines,” Solidum said.
To address this, DOST has implemented the ‘TechGrow’ project, or the technology transfer and entrepreneurship collaboration and harmonization of growing regional opportunities on wealth creation.
This is a nationwide initiative that aims to strengthen the technology transfer efforts and promote commercialization throughout the country.
The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world that has specific law or governance on technology transfer and commercialization.
However, Pili shared that the country’s governance are only steps that protect and regulate technology and innovation.
“It is not really in following the steps, not really in doing all the documents, but in understanding what the people need and what your personal values are,” Pili said, as he underscored that technology development should be based on the needs of the people and match with the values of the creator.
Pili, however, stressed that there is no standard for technology transfer.
“There really is no standard for tech transfer. We can only follow examples,” Pili said.
To facilitate the department’s priorities, DOST underscored that while research should lead to development, development should also lead to commercialization.
“We hope that our youth, researchers, developers, technology transfer officers, and MSMEs particularly those gathered here [today] will recognize their role in advancing Science, Technology and Innovation in the country and take part in efforts that create real world solutions,” Solidum said.
The DOST chief identified technology business incubators as vital for startups.
“These incubators are vital in helping startups get off the ground by providing essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities,” Solidum said.
He added that the hub would be a key driver of innovation, technopreneurship, and value creation allowing local entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to the market and contribute to the nation’s growing innovation ecosystem.
“The Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit Visayas 2024 presents a valuable opportunity to explore how innovation can stimulate progress across industries in the Visayas and how we can move forward in making technology not just an idea but a practical solution for the challenges we face,” Solidum said.
After the summit, DOST Central Visayas held a soft opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) Satellite Facility and the Cebu Innovation Hub. (JJT/PIA 7 Cebu)
