DOST eyes more Balik scientists
The Department of Science and Technology is aiming to significantly increase the number of overseas-based Filipino scientists lured back to the country, to help more state universities and colleges (SUCs) and private higher educational institutions (HEIs) as well as DOST’s various research and development institutions embark on bigger and better research and development (R&D) projects.
Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said with the signing of Republic Act 11035 or the
Balik Scientist Law by President Duterte last June 15, the DOST can give more incentives to returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors and engineers even for a limited period to share their expertise in the country.
“This year, we have 40
Balik Scientists. With the law, we hope to make a significant increase in the number of our foreign-based scientists,” Dela Peña told science reporters in a press briefing for the opening of the 2018 National Science and Technology Week held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.
“Right now, we’re looking at increasing the number by 50 percent starting next year, for three years,” he added.
Since its implementation, several scientists have returned to the country on short- and long-term bases to mentor science and engineering students and faculty along their lines of expertise through R&D, teaching and other activities. This sharing of expertise has significantly contributed to the accelera- tion of the scientific, agroindustrial and economic development of the country.
Increasing the number of overseas-based Filipino scientists will also complement the DOST’s push to address the inequality in the grant of R&D funds by the DOST to SUCs and HEIs.
“There are about 2,000 degree-granting institutions and fewer than 100, or just 83 have availed themselves of our R&D grants,” Dela Peña said.
Last year, the DOST had tapped nine other SUCs and HEIs to participate in its large-scale new drug discovery R&D program. Previously, the program only had the University of the PhilippinesCollege of Medicine in Manila getting the drug discovery R&D grants.
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