Malolos, Bulacan Ph – The DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute through its Synthetic Aperture Radar and Automatic Identification System for Innovative Terrestrial Monitoring and Maritime Surveillance (SARwAIS) Project signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Research Collaboration and Consultancy with the Bulacan State University (BulSU). 

Conducted at the University’s e-library on 21 March 2023, BulSU also inaugurated its Bulacan Information System and Geo-Data Laboratory (BIG-Data Lab). The laboratory will be used as a hub where researchers can conduct cutting-edge research in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as well as develop innovative solutions to promote the social and economic development of the University and its partners. 

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum was the guest speaker for both events, albeit virtually. 

“Layunin ng kasunduang ito na mapayabong ng DOST at BulSU ang ating kaalaman tungkol sa space science and technology. Sa ilalim nito, magkakaroon ng access ang BulSU sa mga pasilidad at iba pang mga resources ng ASTI,” Secretary Solidum said. (This memorandum aims to yield and promote knowledge on space science and technology. With this, BulSU may now use DOST-ASTI's infrastructures and facilities). 

He also added that BulSU will have access to the space S&T applications resources including the data from the NovaSAR satellite which they could potentially use for resource monitoring. 

As a response to BulSU’s commitment to the agreement, DOST-ASTI Director Dr. Franz A. De Leon expressed his gratitude to all the people who made the partnership possible. He said that just like BulSU, DOST-ASTI has research and development projects, programs, and services related to GIS, Remote Sensing, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and even Quantum Computing which BulSU’s BIG-Data Lab seeks to explore as well. 

“Our aim is to proliferate these technologies, our expertise, and resources on space science innovation to State Universities and Colleges as well as Higher Education Institutes in the country. Through training series and consultancy, we will reach more students, teachers, and faculty who would want to make use of DOST-ASTI technologies,” he said. 

Dr. Cecilia Navasero-Gascon, BulSU’s President also expressed her excitement as both agencies will now work together to promote culture and creativity while being committed to inclusivity. She said that the MOA is a step forward as the University aims to capacitate and promote sustainable enhanced research cooperation. She added that it is a big leap towards achieving their goals to empower BulSU and our communities. 

“I know the importance of data, and I know the importance of maps. This will help us in our decision-making, so let us use this technology to aid us in deciding matters related to climate change and even in the smallest things in the University. This partnership would bear many significant activities for both institutions, but I know this will benefit our University more under the BIG-Data Lab which will serve as the center for research excellence for BulSU’s external campuses,” she ended. 

 About the ASTI-BulSU MOA

DOST-ASTI and BulSU will establish and sustain collaborative research and will endeavor to contribute towards co-authoring of papers, publications or presentations arising from such joint undertaking/ 

In essence, BulSU will have access to DOST-ASTI’s facilities and products related to the implementation of space science and technology applications’ (SSTAs) knowledge transfer activities including, but not limited to SIYASAT Portal, NovaSAR-1 images, COARE facility, and project-developed scripts, among other partnership arrangements. 

For more information, send an email to sarwais@asti.dost.gov.ph.