Catanduanes will host the 2024 Bicol Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTIW) back-to-back with the 2024 AbacaNobasyon this May 22-24 at the Catanduanes State University.
Secretary Renato Solidum and other national and regional officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will grace the opening ceremonies at the CatSU Auditorium at 9AM, along with local officials led by Governor Joseph Cua and Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez.
Senator Imee Marcos will deliver a message of support, with DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho Mabborang, Regional Director Rommel Serrano, and CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain Azanza also gracing the opening rites.
The three-day celebration of science and technology has the theme “Siyensya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Kinabukasan” with the subtheme “STI for Green & Blue Economy Towards Smart and Sustainable Communities.”
Included in the program is the awarding of the Regional Best Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and Community Empowerment Thru Science And Technology (CEST).
Addressing the need for more focused programs of assistance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), SETUP is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist them to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness.
Under CEST, the DOST in partnership with other government agencies and working sectors empowers the poorest and most depressed communities by providing S&T interventions in five major sectors: livelihood, basic education, disaster risk reduction and management, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation.
Simultaneous with the opening of the exhibits and exhibit tour at the university gymnasium, the visitors will face the local media in a press conference at the main building lobby at 12 noon.
Occurring in the afternoon of May 22 are four separate events, led by the SETUP-CESTT Forum at 1PM at the Auditorium where success stories of the two programs will be presented.
At the gymnasium on the Youth S&T Day, successful DOST scholars will share inspiring experiences. Top be launched is “Finding North in STEM: A Career Guidebook for Students” as well as DOST Coursewares VLAS and Strategic Intervention Material for Teaching Augmented Reality (SIMaTAR).
Also on the afternoon session are a dialogue on textile innovation at the CatSU Conference Room, training on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) at Research Extension, and the SUPNIT junior and senior high research contest at the Little Theater, with the day to be closed by the KatHABI Fashion Show and STI Partners’ Appreciation Night at the main lobby.
Day 2 activities: PINTABACA on-the-spot painting contest using abaca paper as canvas at Virac boulevard (6-9AM); Abaca’t mga Hibla para sa Luntiang Ekonomiya at CatSU Auditorium (8AM-12NN); ISKUSAR: DRRM TechTalks at the gymnasium (8AM-5PM); Innovative Food Safety Engagement (IFSE) for MSMEs at the Accreditation Room (8AM-5PM); Search for Noblest Catandunganon Researcher at the Little Theater (8AM-5PM); WACS Training Day 2 at Research Extension; Medical Mission for Abaca Farmers at the main lobby (8AM-5PM); ASUL Bicol: Region V’s Blue Economy at the Auditorium (1-3PM); and Smart and Sustainable City/Community at the Auditorium (3-5PM).
Day 3 events: Presentation of RD Lead Accomplishments and Awarding of IP Certificate and Textile Stakeholder Forum of DOST-PTRI at the Auditorium (8-11AM); BICOL PULSE: Health R&D Translations to Policy at the Accreditation Room (8AM-12NN); WACS Training Day 3 at Research Extension; and the Closing & Awarding Ceremonies and Bicol’s Innovation Showdown at the Auditorium (1-5PM).