DOST eyes info swap with other countries

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) wants to deploy science attaches in selected countries to strengthen cooperation as well as exchange of information on research and development (R&D) between the Philippines and other countries.

Raymund Liboro, DOST assistant secretary for Strategic Plans and Programs and director of the DOST-Science Technology Information Institute, said that Science Secretary Mario Montejo has aired the possibility of deploying science attachés to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, and there has been a “meeting of the minds” between the two, for the implementation of the initiative.

“We’re already drawing up the terms,” Liboro told reporters at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

Liboro said that the science attachés can monitor science and technology events, breakthroughs and opportunities in their countries of assignment, inform other countries about the developments in innovation in the Philippines, as well as forge cooperation and exchanges of information between the Philippines and other countries and their institutions and private groups.

“There are benefits in having science attachés in certain countries,” Liboro pointed out.

Liboro said that they might be able to start the effort with the deployment of an initial one or two attachés this year.

He said that the first posting could be Israel, mainly because it has expressed openness to receive a Filipino science attaché.

Israel, he pointed out, is a model of how a country could leverage science and technology and R&D to generate impressive economic growth.