PCASTRD turns 16

The Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development celebrated its 16th anniversary January 24 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City.  The celebration focused on the theme "Paving the Future on Advanced Science and Technology".

PCASTRD was created in 1987 through Pres. Corazon C. Aquino's Executive Order 128, with a mandate to develop, integrate, and coordinate the national research system in advanced S&T sector.

As a sectoral council, PCASTRD works to develop effective mechanisms for policy design, planning and management of financing program to support national competence buildup in such areas as biotechnology, information technology, materials science, electronics, instrumentation and controls, photonics, and remote sensing.

The council has also the mandate to develop a critical mass of research and development personnel through scholarships, training and related support program, along with a network of R&D institutions.


.... so did ASTI

The Advanced Science and Technology Institute marked its 16th year anniversary with a showcase of its R&D capabilities in microelectronics, and information and communication technology at its home base along CP Garcia Avenue in Diliman Jan. 29-31. The Advanced Science and Technology Institute marked its 16th year anniversary with a showcase of its R&D capabilities in microelectronics, and information and communication technology at its home base along CP Garcia Avenue in Diliman Jan. 29-31.

"ASTIdays 2003" brought the spotlight to the twin-launch of Bayanihan Linux's 2nd version, and the big-ticket Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network project.

BL is an open source based desktop software designed for use of state universities, local government units, and small-and-medium scale enterprises that is comparatively far affordable than commercial counterparts. PREGINET is a nationwide broadband network that has so far connected 54 academic, research, and government institutions through three exchange points and 17 regional access points. The other highlight is an updated analysis of RP's national innovation systems by Dr. Sunil Mani, a respected research fellow from the United Nations University—Institute for New Technologies based in The Netherlands.

 

...and PCAMRD

the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development observed its 15th founding anniversary at its new but still unfinished headquarters in Los Baņos, Laguna Jan. 31.

The celebration splashed around the theme "Water and Fish for All", to underline the importance of the two precious resources.  PCAMRD Executive Director Rafael D. Guerrero III led the inauguration rites for the building and conferment of awards to outstanding coastal municipality and city in coastal resources management, and best papers of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development system.

The celebration was preceded by "Water and Fish" summit held a day earlier that featured panel discussions and workshops focused on key issues on sustainable development of RP's water and fisheries resources until 2020 and beyond.  Keynote speaker of the summit was Dr. Meryl Williams, director general of the World Fish Center based in Malaysia.  WFC also maintains a liaison office at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baņos.

 

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