GOVPH

The biggest scientific happening is coming as the Department of Science and Technology brings the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (2025 NSTW) at the “Sunshine City,” Laoag, Ilocos Norte for the four-day festive, immersive, and highly informative science week celebration.

This year, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte plays host for the annual scientific meet from November 18-21, 2025. Participating government agencies, state universities and colleges, civic groups, and non-government organizations will showcase the latest technologies geared towards this year’s theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities”.

Among the technologies and forums that will be featured in this four-day national scientific gathering. Among them are Smart agriculture for sustainable development, Revolutionizing MSMEs towards Industry 4.0, Building smart Human Resources, Smart governance, Pushing Startups for sustainable growth, and many more.

In addition to this, there will be a discussion titled Robotics R&D and Commercialization: Sustainability and Economic Growth in Industry 4.0 Era, From Hazards to Resilience: Translating Hazard Knowledge into Risk-Informed Action, and The Future of Communities: Learning from Neighbors in Asia.

Apart from the forums is the launch of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center in Ilocos Norte, a yarn-spinning facility equipped with the latest technologies to process natural textile fibers such as banana, abaca, pineapple, cotton, and bamboo. An e-Games development competition gives participants the opportunity to create educational games that are socially relevant and culturally inspired. These games should showcase the use of STEM concepts, programming skills, and creative storytelling.

Another is the RoboTECH CUP, where participants will design, build, and program robots to complete specific tasks that simulate real-world problems.

NSTW is the annual gathering of the local scientific communities that brings together scientists, technology experts, researchers, students, science communicators, and other stakeholders. NSTW serves as a platform for exchanging information about the latest discoveries and developments within both local and international scientific communities.

Established through Proclamation No. 2214 in 1982. However, in 1993, Presidential Proclamation No. 169 moved the observance of NSTW to the third week of July. Finally, in August 2019, Presidential Proclamation No. 780 changed the celebration of NSTW from the third week of July to the fourth week of November. 

The 2025 NSTW is open to the public. For the complete list of activities and schedule, follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nstwdost or visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph.

The NSTW is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Joy M. Lazcano, DOST-STII)