• Palace welcomes latest executive outlook survey of Makati Business Club

APEC News Release

• APEC delegates to high-level dialogue in Science and Technology in Higher Education honored in welcome dinner
• APEC discussions on science and technology spills over to include other disciplines
• Science and technology seen as job generator in Asia Pacific region
• APEC dialogue highlights importance of cross-border movement of experts, students

Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo delivered their respective welcome messages during the event at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila.

The cultural presentation, entitled “Fused”, was prepared by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for the APEC delegates.

“Fused” featured “Saplot”, a fusion of the country’s fashion and history. To the rhythm of neo-ethnic music, the history of the Philippines was presented through a spectacular fashion show that took the audience to the golden glory of pre-Hispanic costumes and the delicacy of the colonial period.

The show took on an American flavor before culminating in the elegance of the Terno and a stunning collection of contemporary couture.

“Fused” also showcased “Awit”, a fusion of Filipino voices and the country’s music, with CCP performers blending American Jazz with Filipino folk songs, both classical and modern.

The presentation also featured “Sayaw”, a fusion of Filipino movement through dance. Traditional dances served as introductions for the vibrant reinterpretations by rap and hip hop artists.

The last part was “Vision”, which fused the diversity of the Filipino culture. A video summed up the message and meaning of various suites presented.

Three children rendered an anthemic reprise of the opening number as the full company joined in for the finale.

Among those who organized the production were the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Foundation for the traditional costumes, and Baihana and the Philippine Opera Company for the vocals. PND (as)

“We thank the business community for giving a renewed vote of confidence to the departments and agencies in the economic and financial management sector, as reflected in the Makati Business Club’s executive outlook survey for the second semester of 2015,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement.

The Palace official added that “the survey results mirror and affirm the vote of confidence extended by the international community to the country as reflected in successive upgrades in investment rating, as well as significant improvement in global competitiveness rankings”.

Secretary Coloma acknowledged the inclusion of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the Civil Service Commission among the top 10 government agencies recognized in the club’s survey.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs has also garnered broad-based support for its steadfast stand on a rules-based and diplomatic approach to dispute resolution pertaining to maritime entitlement issues in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“PAGASA has also earned well-deserved commendation for its accurate and reliable weather forecasting that is the linchpin of the country’s determined efforts to reduce risks and protect the lives and safety of our people.”

Coloma said the Civil Service Commission also made it to the top 10 list “on account of its campaign to instill a strong public service orientation among national government agencies rendering frontline services to the people”.

“We are also pleased to note that the Office of the President improved its standing from number 36 to number 27, with a net satisfaction score of + 29.5,” said Coloma.

On the Office of the Vice President being among those that registered the largest decline in satisfaction rating, he said, “It may be reasonable to infer that this represents the negative feedback of the business community on the Vice President’s criticisms against the administration in the aftermath of his resignation from the Cabinet.” PND (jm)

CHED Director Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr. said in a press briefing that although this is the first high level policy dialogue on science and technology in higher education the dialogue spilled over to something else.

“The question you’re asking was also asked. Why just concentrate on this when the new economy, the knowledge-based economy is not just science and technology?” he told reporters during the briefing.

“It’s about the contributions of humanity, the contribution of history, the contribution of literature, of creative design and all other types of disciplines so that indeed the very outcome that we seek, which is innovation, is the product of all these great minds.”

“And so the answer to that is that while the starting point was science and technology it has evolved to a point where we’re saying that the prism by which to look at any problem for that matter has to involve all other disciplines.”

Higher education must now consider the wisdom of the historians, story tellers, creative artist, as well as the contributions of the writers and the many talents that are part and parcel of producing innovation, he noted.

This development is very reassuring and makes the process much more healthy and must be adopted in today’s classroom discussions, he said.

“The more we cultivate this multi-angled thinking among our young… it’s going to be for the production and build up of innovation,” he said.

The high-level policy dialogue tackled three themes: ensuring relevance, utilization and contribution of products of S&T in higher education to economic development, technologies and S&T concerns of the future, and innovations in higher education delivery modalities and strategies. PND (as)

Juanillo said people in APEC member economies should look at developments and innovations through science and technology as creator of jobs and contributor to economic developments in the region.

“Instead of asking will there be available jobs after immersing in the field of science and technology, we should look at science and technology as an enabler for creating jobs,” he said.

He noted that the higher education of all APEC member economies should reinforce its young population with the benefits of going into tracks of science and technology.

“It’s the 21st century. And there is no other way for the Philippines to move forward but to capitalize in science and technology. Science and technology is a platform for generating new knowledge because in the 21st century, knowledge is a currency,” he said.

“There should be more interest in science and technology in the APEC region,” Juanillo stressed.

He added APEC economies, during the High-Level Policy Dialogue, agreed to intensify partnerships and collaboration on science and technology in higher education.

APEC economies will pursue building partnerships among academe, government, and industry to enhance cross-border research collaboration, knowledge sharing, and exchange of experts in science and technology.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has concluded the two-day High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education on Friday held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as part of its year-round hosting of the 2015 APEC Summit. PNA (kc)

“We support policies that facilitate the mobility of highly skilled human capital as well as policies aimed at promoting the international mobility of academics, researchers, and students to facilitate innovation and sustainable growth,” the delegates said Friday in a joint statement after the two-day meeting at the PICC.

They also emphasized the need for diversity in academia and its importance in yielding high research productivity, intellectual capital, innovation and collaboration.

High quality research systems are vital for the economic and social development of APEC member economies, they said in the statement.

“This can be achieved by learning from each other about research policies and strategies both in research training and in undertaking research.”

The delegates also supported the Port Moresby 2015 High-level Policy Dialogue on Human Capacity Building, particularly its focus on the 21st century skills, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education,

This is to address the advanced technology requirements of 21st century jobs in the context of knowledge-based economy building and to face the changes in global markets.

They also gave their backing on strategic approaches to align education and training to industry needs in the 21st century.

At the same time, they recognized the need for science, technology, and innovation experts who are pivotal to developing innovations.

“APEC economies should share information about approaches to research workforce planning and encouraging university – industry links,” noted the joint statement. PND (as)