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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 recognized outstanding accomplishments and personalities in science and technology in the 2017 Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel yesterday. The event, with the theme “Science for People,” aims to provide “an opportunity to focus regional and national attention on the contribution of science and technology to national development” and to recognize and appreciate the work of those in the field of science and technology. DOST also hopes to raise interest in science and research.

DOST creates more programs and trainings for students and teachers due to the youths’ low appreciation of science these days.

To advocate science awareness, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 organized various conferences and presented inventors and technology generators in their 2017 Regional Science and Technology Week.

The event was in line with this year’s National Science and Technology Week.

The activity, which was held in Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, started last June 20 and will end today.

DOST said that the event was aimed at giving “regional and national attention on the contribution of science and technology to national development and to give recognition and appreciation to outstanding personalities and accomplishments in science and technology.”

In a press conference, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina Guevara lamented the students’ low appreciation of science.

Under the K to 12 program, Guevara pointed out that the students who chose science and technology, hard science and engineering courses accounted for less than 20 percent, which is lower than the ideal 40 percent.

“According to Unesco, we have a benchmark on how good an economy is based on the number of researchers, scientists, and engineers in a country. For a developing country, it has to be 380 per million of the population. In 2013, the Philippines’ number was at 270. Though the number is lower than 380, this was actually 50 percent higher from 2009, where there were only 180,” said Guevara.

To address the situation, Guevara said that DOST is giving free training modules, creating more programs for students, and training more teachers on science and math. /