A virtual consultation between the Department of Science and Technology Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) and DOST Region 2 was held last Wednesday, 14 July 2021. The meeting served as a venue for representatives from different partner State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region 2 to present their project proposals for possible collaborations with the DOST-ASTI.

To formally start the program, Ms. Virginia Bilgera, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Field Operations Services of DOST-Region 2, gave the welcome remarks. ARD Bilgera stated that the event aims to further strengthen partnerships through research in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Electronics.

Dr. Franz Asunta de Leon, Director of the DOST-ASTI, expressed his appreciation to DOST-Region 2 for spearheading the event. Dr. De Leon also stressed the relevance of continuous collaborative discussions amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

During the presentation, representatives from Isabela State University (ISU), Cagayan State University (CSU), and Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) discussed their project proposals during the virtual consultation:

• “Establishment of Hydro-meteorological Monitoring Stations and Forecasting Hub in Cagayan River Basin”, presented by Dr. Orlando Balderama of ISU
• “Mainstreaming Adoption of Agri-fisheries Technologies Naturally Generating Opportunities for the Nourishment and Employment of Fishers and Farmers (MangONE)”, presented by Mr. Billie Javier of CSU-Aparri Campus
• “Modernizing the CSU-Sanchez Mira (SM) ICT Research Laboratory”, presented by Mr. Manny Alipio of CSU-SM
• “Analyzing the Bignay Fruit Industry in Northwest Cagayan using Deep and Machine Learning”, presented by Ms. Lourdes Padirayon of CSU-SM
• “A Web-based Trading System of Fruits and Vegetables (KLABS21)”, presented by Mr. Ryan Victor Bautista of NVSU

The five project proposals presented by representatives from different SUCs in Region 2 during the virtual consultation.

After the series of presentations, Dr. De Leon along with the technical staff from DOST-ASTI shared their expertise and provided suggestions to the identified technological needs of the SUCs. Some of these were access to satellite images, assistance in remote sensing, cloud storage, as well as the development of mobile applications and websites, all of which are currently being offered by the DOST-ASTI.

The meeting was concluded with a closing remark from Dr. Teresita Tabaog, ARD for Technical Operations Services of DOST-Region 2, noting that the event served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration in the area of ICT. “We pray that the concerted efforts poured out by everyone this afternoon be planted and bloom in the nearest future, to further the science, technology, and innovation that we have for the benefit of the people that we serve,” Dr. Tabaog says.