The Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) celebrated its 37th anniversary with the launch of the first-ever Advanced Science, Technology, and Innovation (ASTICON).
Themed “Together, We Can,” the event was held from 18 to 19 July 2024, at the Novotel Manila Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City.
This inaugural event was amplified with DOST-ASTI’s partnership with the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (UP EEEI) in launching and co-locating the National Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering Conference (NEECECON).
ASTICON was designed to celebrate the innovations and partnerships in the ICT landscape by providing a platform to showcase DOST-ASTI’s innovative projects and services and recognize the Institute’s collaborative efforts with various sectors.
To kick-off the event, DOST-ASTI Director Franz de Leon and UP EEEI Director Lew Andrew Tria welcomed the participants by giving their opening remarks. This is followed by a formal recognition of both Institutes’ partner organizations and units, wherein invited representatives receive a Plaque of Appreciation on stage.
Completing the two-day celebration are the co-located events held in conjunction with ASTICON, as follows:
Partnership Signing Ceremony of DOST-ASTI and Philippine Information Agency/REIINN Partners
Organized by the Information Network for Open and Viable Applications and Technology Exchange (INNOVATE) and Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal (REIINN) Project
DOST-ASTI and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the premier public information arm of the government under the Presidential Communications Office, formalized an agreement to leverage PIA’s expertise in communication and advocacy of government programs, projects, and services, to help promote and disseminate DOST-ASTI’s initiatives.
Additionally, through Project REIINN, the Institute has solidified its partnership with the Local Government of Tanay Rizal, local Internet Service Providers, and USAID BEACON, paving the way for a resilient and more technologically immersed country.
InNOVATE enables scientific research and data science activities over a conglomerate of S&T infrastructure components that includes the National Research and Education Network (NREN) called the Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network (PREGINET), and a high-performance computing and storage facility called the Computing and Archiving Research Environment (COARE).
Project REIINN develops and implements innovation solutions to support distance learning and to help address the challenges in learning and connectivity in unserved and underserved areas through technology-based interventions particularly through REIINN’s two main components: LokalFi and RuralCasting.
Agreement Signing, Lightning Talks, and Lecture on Quantum Computing
Organized by the Computer Software Division
The Computer Software Division showcased its synergistic collaborations and latest innovations at ASTICON 2024 by conducting Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremonies with government, academe, and industry partners for the division’s cutting-edge R&D initiatives namely DataProtect-SIERRA, ASTI-Automated Labeling Machine, Gul.ai, Quantum Computing Simulator, and iTANONG Project.
This pivotal gathering underscores DOST-ASTI's commitment to advancing cutting-edge technology and fostering collaborative opportunities across various sectors. Attendees had the chance to listen to the Lightning Talks on Blockchain's Disruptive Potential in Government and Education by TWALA, The BLOKC, and PUP-RISFI, and were introduced to Quantum Computing Theory and Programming by the Quantum Innovation Laboratory.
ON-IDLE Partners Meeting
Organized by the Open Network Testbed Laboratory for Internet Technologies Deployment and Experimentation (ON-IDLE) Project
The ON-IDLE Partners Meeting brought together project partners. Aside from the project updates, the session conducted a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing among partner universities and cable TV operator-partners as a highlight of the event.
The Open Network Testbed Laboratory for Internet Technologies Deployment and Experimentation (ON-IDLE) Project, in cooperation with the Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA), leverages PREGINET’s proven capability and experience in IPv6 over a two-decade period, as well as the partnerships and relationships we have built with telecom companies, network operators and service providers, Internet advocates , and training institutions. ON-IDLE activities are geared towards IPv6 capacity building and deployment, strengthening research on advanced network technologies through the setup of an Open Networks Lab, and building on products, tools, and technologies that DOST-ASTI already has as use cases.
HR Lite Stakeholders Meeting
Organized by the HR Lite Project
The HR Lite Stakeholders Meeting was an introductory event, aimed to demonstrate the features of the ASTI-developed web-based system, HR Lite. Other productivity tools and software developed by DOST-ASTI were also presented during the event, including AKS/ON, eDecide, and FASTER. DOST-ASTI signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Bicol University to formalize their partnership in adopting HR Lite.
HR Lite is a comprehensive and highly flexible human resource management solution developed from the ground up by DOST-ASTI. It enables government agencies to work efficiently by simplifying HR processes and offering easy configurability for faster and seamless adoption, especially by government offices that do not have an HR solution yet.
Quantum Computing Workshop
Organized by the Quantum Computing Simulation (QCS) Project
The Quantum Computing Simulation (QCS) Project represents a significant leap forward in quantum computing research at DOST-ASTI, focusing on the characterization and optimization of available quantum circuit simulators for execution on desktop computers and in DOST-ASTI's Computing and Archiving Research Environment (COARE) High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility.
Following the introduction to quantum computing, the workshop engaged the participants in the basics and programming of quantum computing, covering topics such as quantum gates, the quantum circuit model, and alternative models of quantum computation.
About DOST-ASTI
Established in 1987 pursuant to Executive Order No. 128, the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) is a Research and Development Institute (RDI) that undertakes scientific research and development and technology transfer in the advanced fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), computing, electronics, and their applications. The DOST-ASTI continues to dedicate itself to developing and delivering technology solutions to enable a productive, globally competitive, and resilient Filipino society.
Media inquiries
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
corpcomm@asti.dost.gov.ph