As government research and development (R&D) projects end, the necessary processes like government funding, distribution, and production of the R&D outputs also cease, leading to a limited number of target audiences reaping their benefits. Sustaining these technologies, especially those which have current market demand and are substantially beneficial to a larger number of target end-users has been a perennial dilemma to many.

Technology transfer and commercialization processes have been fundamental in resolving this pressing concern.

Apart from the sustainability of the completed R&D projects, technology transfer also encourages innovation as researchers aim to address the current needs of their stakeholders by improving their outputs.

The Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) works hand in hand with the department’s R&D institutes in advocating and enforcing technology transfer and commercialization activities. This is to ensure the sustainability of the technologies by bridging the gap between technology and the people.

This effort is led by DOST-ASTI's Technology Licensing Office (TLO) together with the agency’s scientists and researchers recognized as technology generators.

Relatively, along with TLO, DOST-ASTI Director Franz A. De Leon and the agency researchers,  as well as the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) executives convened last 10 February 2023, to discuss potential collaboration on the validation of the Human Resource (HR) Lite project.

ARTA is an attached agency of the Office of the President, mandated to oversee the implementation of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

From L-R: Maria Irene S. Amatorio, Senior Science Research Specialist/Head of the DOST-ASTI TLO; Carlemil Kennedy Jan C. Jacosalem, Executive Assistant IV of ARTA, Anita R. Bravante, Chief Administrative Officer/ Head of the Human Resource Division of ARTA; Gilbert C. Castro, OIC-Director IV for Finance and Administrative Office of ARTA; Franz A. de Leon, Ph.D., Director of DOST-ASTI; Paul John M. Serrano, Division Chief of the Knowledge Management Division/ HR Lite Project leader of DOST-ASTI; and Christopher L. Soliva,  Program Officer of ARTA

HR Lite is a re-engineered version of the existing Enterprise Resource Planning system of DOST-ASTI, which helps automate and manage human resource-related processes such as employee records, daily time records, and personal data sheets, among other functionalities. Its design is highly adaptive in a government agency setting, structure, and processes using forms and information which are based on mandated policies and procedures in the government.

As a one-year project under the Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNiCOM) Program, funded and supported by the DOST - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), the project aims to validate the technology to at least five (5) local government agencies, increase its Technology Readiness Level, and to determine its market viability and sustainability. Part of the validation activities is a technology needs assessment of the end users and the potential licensee before the system's deployment to a wider variety of stakeholders.

Both parties agreed to work together to enhance and validate HR Lite. With this partnership, OIC Director Gilbert C. Castro commented that this will lead to a successful signing of a Memorandum of Agreement. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between government agencies and partners to ensure the prioritization of the pressing needs of Filipinos.

Apart from the project objectives, the activity is also a part of DOST-ASTI's aim to provide support to other government agencies by enhancing their operational capabilities through advanced science and technology, and innovation. HR Lite seeks to empower technology end-users in improving their HR information systems while licensing technical support and maintenance to third-party Filipino companies.

DOST-ASTI Director, Franz A. de Leon, Ph.D. and EC Solutions and Enterprises President, Edilberto “Bert” N. Chua, Jr. successfully signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last December 13, 2023, at the Novotel Manila, Araneta City during the celebration of DOST-ASTI's 35^th Anniversary.
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About the TLO:
The DOST-ASTI Technology Licensing Office (TLO) leads activities in Intellectual Property protection, commercialization, licensing, and technology transfer. It aims to bridge the gap between DOST-ASTI technologies and the public.

For any queries with the DOST-ASTI TLO, send an email to tlo@asti.dost.gov.ph. You may Visit TLO’s Facebook page and Project Page as well.