PGMA Legacy in Science and Technology cited
BACOLOD CITY -- When her term ends next year, President Gloria M. Arroyo will leave a legacy in the field of Science and Technology (S&T) that has never been achieved yet by any highest Chief Executive of the land.
Department of Science and Technology Under Secretary Fortunato De la Peña, during a media dialog here, said the president has contributed significantly in implementing, among others, infrastructures needed in advancing Research and Development (R&D).
Specifically, he mentioned the completion of Science Complex inside the UP Diliman Campus put up for Engineering Research and Development Technology Program intended to address the need of UP and of other universities
The project, which is a consortium of seven universities, is a breakthrough, De la Peña said.
The present administration also supported the development of human resource with advance expertise having master’s and doctorate degrees where about 250 scholars are taken in annually.
“This never happened before which is very much appreciated by the S&T community. The scholarship program is expected to produce numbers we did not experience before.”
College scholarship accommodates 3,000 a year while the science high schools admit about 900 news students each year, he told PIA.
President Arroyo has also increased Research and Development (RD) funds that allowed scholars pursue their dissertation in consonance with the national development goals.
The next president should sustain the manpower pool that creates availability of human resource with advance degrees and R&D capabilities, De la Pointed out.
What attracts investors in other Asian countries is not only infrastructure but the presence of qualified technical men in S&T.
“The next president should also continue the improvement of facilities to cope with new development.”
De la Peña was here Monday, August 17, to speak at the opening of the “National Science and Technology Week- Visayas Science and Technology Fair 2009” at SM City Bacolod. It will run until August 22. (PIA-LOL)