By Elijah Espiritu
The Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) intensifies its internationalization campaign further for international recognition once again at the 2024 National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), Thailand on August 16-25, 2024.
The 2024 National Science and Technology (NST) Fair Thailand’s Official Cover Page (Photo reference from this website: https://www.bkkkids.com/family-friendly-event-in-bangkok/nst-fair-2024/)
This participation signifies the Philippines' goal of pursuing a global presence in science and technology while reinforcing DOST-TAPI's mission to strategically showcase Filipino innovations on an international stage. NSTF Thailand is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most influential science and technology events, providing a platform for Filipino inventors to display their cutting-edge innovations.
NSTF Thailand: A Premier Platform for Philippine Ingenuity
The 2024 edition of the fair is set to focus on the theme "FUTURE SCIENCE COMMUNITY FOR ALL." This theme underscores the importance of cultivating 21st-century skills crucial for industrial and national economic goals, while also addressing global challenges such as promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and embracing the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP).
For the Philippines, NSTF Thailand represents a golden opportunity. It allows Filipino inventors to engage directly with a global audience, including investors, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.
DOST is once again set to showcase alongside major industry leaders at NSTF Thailand 2024, spotlighting the exceptional expertise of leading Filipino inventors.
Take a look at the technologies representing the Philippines:
1. Kooha
Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)
Kooha is an Android app that leverages AI and machine learning to transform environmental data into actionable insights for experts in monitoring and disaster risk management. As a participatory tool, it raises community awareness on disaster risk reduction and the importance of data science.
2. REIINN (Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal)
Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)
The REIINN initiative creates frameworks and infrastructure to provide accessible learning resources, including modules for Grades 1-12, gamified math, and virtual museum tours. It also bridges the digital divide by deploying community LTE networks and utilizing datacasting technology for distance learning.
3. Virtual Laboratory Application in Science (VLAS) Project
Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (SEI)
VLAS is a 360° 3D biology lab simulator that offers virtual experiments and theoretical knowledge in an immersive environment. It helps users familiarize themselves with lab equipment and methods through interactive modules.
4. SIMATAR (Strategic Intervention Material for Teaching with Augmented Reality)
Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (SEI)
SIMATAR transforms smartphones into science labs with comic-style 3D simulations of complex scientific phenomena, such as typhoons and earthquakes, using Augmented Reality. This innovative app enhances science education by making abstract concepts more tangible.
5. DOST Courseware
Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (SEI)
DOST Courseware is a free, interactive software offering multimedia Science and Mathematics resources for Grades 1-12. Available across multiple platforms, it supports teachers and students in mastering complex concepts through engaging, Filipino-developed content.
6. Make-roscope™
Inventor(s): Engr. Jeremy C. De Leon
The Make-roscope™ is a compact, affordable microscope that attaches to a smartphone or tablet camera, magnifying organisms up to 400 times. It offers a user-friendly, portable alternative to traditional compound light microscopes.
7. STARBOOKS
Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science and Technology Information Institute (STII)
STARBOOKS is an offline digital library that provides access to a vast collection of Science & Technology materials, aiming to democratize STEM education. It ensures that even remote Indigenous communities have equitable access to quality educational resources.
Opportunities for Collaboration and Growth
DOST-TAPI’s participation at NSTF Thailand opens doors to promoting and commercializing local technologies internationally. Aligned with its mandated functions, the DOST further fulfills its mission by accepting the invitation from Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, which explores globalization potential, as well as recognizes the global significance of Philippine inventions.
By participating in NSTF Thailand, DOST-TAPI aims to achieve several specific objectives. These include highlighting Filipino technologies in key areas aligned with the fair's categories, such as the “STEAM Circus Exhibition”, which focuses on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Moreover, the Institute seeks to establish and strengthen international partnerships that will facilitate technology commercialization and collaborative ventures, targeting at least three engagements with startups, event participants, and relevant stakeholders.
NSTF also offers a unique learning experience, where Filipino innovators can gain insights into global trends and best practices. These engagements are essential in the continuous benchmarking of Philippine competitiveness in the ever-evolving global field of science and technology.
Building Lasting International Ties
DOST-TAPI’s internationalization campaigns have already yielded favorable results in the past where home-grown technologies successfully established international linkages, partnerships, and successfully garnered recognition by securing international awards and accolades for excellence. Some examples of successful internationalizations are from previous international engagements of DOST-TAPI with Consumer Electronics Show 2024, WorldInvent Singapore 2024, and the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2024 where Philippine delegates successfully established their superiority in the fields of science.
The relationships formed at NSTF Thailand are expected to have far-reaching impacts, potentially leading to future collaborations that benefit both the Philippines and the global innovation community.
A Bright Future for Philippine Innovation
As DOST-TAPI continues to champion the cause of Filipino inventors, the institute roots itself in its mandate and mission to intensify support for Filipino Inventors through technology transfer programs, linkage development, global market penetration, capacity building, and international collaboration. The Institute’s strategic participation in NSTF Thailand is a testament to its commitment to advancing local technologies and fostering international cooperation. Through these efforts, the Philippines is poised to make significant contributions to global science and technology, further establishing itself as a hub of innovation in the region.
In the years to come, as DOST-TAPI expands its international presence, the world can expect to see even more groundbreaking innovations emerging from the Philippines—innovations that will not only address local challenges but also contribute to solving global problems. With initiatives like the internationalization campaign and strategic engagements at events like NSTF Thailand, the Philippines is well on its way to stirring future solutions.
** This article is part of the "SPICE: Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits" campaign for the National Science and Technology (NST) Fair Thailand 2024. For more information and event updates, visit the DOST-TAPI website at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph.**
