The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said they are looking to expand domestic research and development by continuing to provide scholarships for students to pursue higher education.

In a release by the government agency, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said, “We invested heavily in human resource development, especially in having more of our researchers and forecasters earn their Master of Science and PhD [degrees].”

He noted, the priority fields in research and development include semiconductors and electronics; infrastructure and logistics; agriculture, fishery, and forestry; industrial waste treatment; among others.

With an anticipated influx of more domestic researchers, the cabinet official said the department has also worked out deals with various entities to put DOST-developed technology to use.

“In 2018, we executed 80 licensing agreements wherein the companies pay an amount to get the technology, and also commit to pay royalties for a certain period,” dela Peña noted./WDJ