The 2022 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration is back onsite at the World Trade Center (WTC) after it was held online owing to strict health protocols during the past two years at the height of the pandemic.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-led NSTW was last held face-to-face in 2019 as thousands of Filipinos then flocked to WTC in Pasay City to witness some of the latest innovations, inventions and other S&T-related researches made by our Filipino scientists and engineers.
With the theme, “Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan,” it will be held from November 23 to 27, said Allan Mauro V. Marfal of DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII).
Health protocols and restrictions will be observed and implemented to the visiting public on the duration of the five-day event. Safe physical distancing and minimum health protocols are to be maintained, and overcrowding should be avoided.
This year’s S&T festivity will showcase all the research and development (R&D) outputs as well as innovative products and services developed and offered by DOST agencies and regional offices that helped address the challenges brought about by the pandemic and climate change, Marfal added.
Unlike previous celebrations, the 2022 NSTW will be held in a hybrid format as several activities will be conducted online.
Exhibits will be mounted an be viewed on-site, while forums, webinars and virtual talks will be broadcast online so that more people can attended.
Furthermore, there will be technologies to be bannered that will help the people and the country bounce back better from the pandemic.
In addition, there will be techno-products and activities that will provide a better angle on DOST innovations that respond to the pressing needs of various sectors and stakeholders toward the goal of attaining inclusive growth in the areas of agriculture and food security, health, job creation, education, energy, transportation, blue and green economy, and environmental protection, Marfal said.
These programs are aligned with the current priorities of President Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Meanwhile, before the nationwide S&T celebration kicks off, a series of regional S&T celebrations were already held in different provinces.
From 1993 until 2019, the NSTW was celebrated every third week of July under Proclamation 169. However, in August 2019, through Proclamation 780 signed by former President Duterte, the NSTW is now celebrated every fourth week of November.
The change of date was meant to ensure maximum participation of schools, students, stakeholders and the public during the week-long celebration due to the change in the academic calendar of most universities, schools, and educational institutions, Marfal said.
Image credits: Design by Lanquin Seyer Gacusan, DOST-STII