The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conferred awards for seven (7) research and development (R&D) project teams for their outstanding implementation of different innovation activities.
Accorded the Excellence in Project Implementation and Completion (EPIC) Award are:
1. PERPSAT1: University of Perpetual Help System (UPHS) Amateur Satellite Ground Station Development of the UPHS DALTA in Las Piñas. This technology allows students and faculty members to communicate with artificial satellites in space.
2. Kwadra 1905 Technology Business Incubator (KTBI) implemented by the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U).
3. The establishment of the Solid Freeform Fabrication Research Laboratory (SoFFRel) in Pangasinan State University. This laboratory housed advanced tools including an Industrial 3D Printer, Desktop 3D Printer, 3D Laser Printer, and consumable materials for 3D printing.
4. The LMS Solutions Philippines which developed an integrated school management and content library system for K-12 schools. This technology reduces workload among teachers by digitally managing school operations like student enrollment, faculty monitoring, learning management, and assessment reporting which are usually assessed by various regulatory and educational accreditation agencies.
5. Mindanao State University – Naawan’s NanoTox Project which accurately assesses the toxicity level of various nanomaterials. This project paves the way for safer nanotechnology applications and responsible development of nanomaterials.
6. The Ateneo de Manila University in partnership with the Philippine National Police for the Basic Training Course for PNP Personnel on the Fundamentals of Chemical Safety and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The project trained PNP- Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) personnel in basic chemistry, necessary for safe handling of firearms and explosives, detecting illicit activities, conducting investigations, and collaborating with field experts.
7. The PECTIN-CARRAGEENAN MIXTURES: High Precision Characterization of Hydrogel Heterogeneity Properties with Optical Tweezers and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) Imaging of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. lauded the research teams who received the EPIC awards. “We look forward to the project outputs of our researchers being used by the Filipinos in the long run. Our desire to have our citizens benefit from our R&D outputs powers the strong drive to push towards technology commercialization,” he said.
The award was conferred by the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) as part of its 14th anniversary celebration.
Criteria for the EPIC award are on-time completion of the R&D project, 100% accomplishment of targets, and efficient budget utilization of at least 85%.
DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit urged researchers to be inspired by the feats of the EPIC awardees. “We hope that our researchers will be encouraged to follow suit and be efficient in implementing the projects entrusted to them. We owe it to the Filipino people who we serve,” he said.
Since 2020, DOST PCIEERD invested P6 billion to support 2,176 R&D projects in the fields of industry, energy, and emerging technologies. In 2023, there were 256 completed projects under DOST-PCIEERD while 413 are still ongoing.
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