Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is looking at strategic research and development (R&D) investments to further lift the country's Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking.
"The global demand for innovation drives our strategic investments in R&D. We recognize the need to strengthen R&D collaborations, develop innovations to promote social entrepreneurship, and continuously support our Filipino researchers, including aspiring ones," DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. told the Philippine News Agency Friday.
The Philippines ranked 53rd out of 133 economies in the GII 2024 report, up three notches from the 2023 ranking.
Solidum said the GII 2024 ranking shows the country's need to increase R&D investments in human resources, including graduates of math, science, and engineering.
The DOST, he said, will continue programs like the Balik Scientist Program, promoting information exchange and strengthening the scientific and technological workforce of academic and public and private institutions.
"There is also the S&T (science and technology) Fellows Program which aims to boost the R&D capacity of the DOST RDIs (R&D institutes) and Councils to deliver innovative activities, programs, and services to Filipinos through a pool of science experts," Solidum added.
He said that with the PHP2.5 billion approved budget for 2025, the DOST will focus on investments in data-driven innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) virtual hubs, quantum computing, and geospatial analysis.
Additionally, the DOST will focus on innovations in Industry 4.0 technologies, smart agriculture, smart technologies, and initiatives to support biologics in pharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, Solidum noted that in the GII 2024, the Philippines excelled in Business Sophistication, rising to 37th place from 38th in the previous year, with the Innovation Linkages sub-pillar. Included in this is the academe-industry R&D collaboration indicator, which climbed 13 steps to 44th place.
The DOST attributed these to the R&D investments from 2022 to 2023, which include academic-industry collaboration through the DOST-Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage the Philippine Economy (CRADLE).
This program links an academy with a Filipino company to undertake an R&D project to improve the company’s products, processes, and services.
The DOST also institutionalizes innovation centers through the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D. The program capacitates Higher Education Institutions in the regions to make significant improvements in regional research. (PNA)
