To integrate the science and technology (S&T) sector towards career development and sociopolitical issues, the University of the Philippines Department of Science and Technology Scholars’ Association (UP DOST SA) launched its annual National DOST Scholars’ Summit (NDSS) with the theme “Transcending Resonance.” This was held via their official Facebook Page from April 23 to May 1.

The nine-day summit had six programs that gathered and called upon the nation’s top DOST scholars, providing them and the general public an accessible avenue for learning, discourse, and having various opportunities from career professionals, companies, scientists, engineers, and experts.

“Vantage” kickstarted the summit as the first sub-event that was held via Facebook Live on April 23. "NDSS 2022" Overall Co-Head Maria Sarra Villaruz officially started the program with her opening remarks, which was then followed by "Vantage 2022" Co-Head John Kenneth Gregorio to introduce the event and its mission to advance S&T in various sectors.

As speakers, Diliman Artificial Intelligence CEO Dr. Fredegusto Guido David, Green Climate Fund accreditation panel member Dr. Antonio Gabriel La Viña, and UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Director and UP-PGH Chief of Neurosurgery Dr. Gerardo Legaspi shared their unique academic viewpoints. 

The talk highlighted S&T’s role in environmental decisions, research and development, foreign investments, legitimate societal development objectives, social forces, and political considerations, among others. 

Moreover, the speakers also touched upon issues such as: brain drain, research culture, tech startups, environmental and climate injustice, human rights, sustainability, urbanization, reclamation, dysfunctional climate response, the Philippine health system quality, and economic reality of health in pharmaceutical and medical industries. Their thoughts on the misconceptions and undervalued aspects in S&T have also been imparted.

After their talk, a Q&A portion and discussion was held to accommodate questions from the audience. Consequently, IBON Foundation Inc. Executive Director Mr. Jose Enrique Africa provided an inspirational message, highlighting how intercorrelated S&T is with the socio-political issues around us and encouraging everyone to keep the Filipino S&T community alive and thriving in pursuit of innovation, development, and poverty and inequality eradication.

“Engage in the world politically. As citizens, to improve society, our economy and politics have to be made more democratic, [not only] in moments like the upcoming May elections, but also through movements even beyond the election. Movements will drive social change, not just moments. As a scientist and technologist, engage the world professionally to constantly improve Filipino S&T. [...] We have to develop Filipino capacity in the most advanced technologies possible,” he stated. Moreover, he left a piece of advice for everyone to remember.

“Just be the best scientist possible. Commit and do everything in your power to inspire people not just in your scientific prowess but also with your resolute humanism and fearlessness to take a political stand on society’s current issues. Science will progress–it will happen. But we have to take the effort to make sure that society also progresses,” he emphasized and concluded. The program officially ended with the closing remarks by Vantage 2022 Co-Head Rosela Mae Lazaro. 

The following day came the launching of the next sub-event named “Explore” as it tackled the lesser-known and emerging S&T fields with the country’s top scientists and experts via Facebook Live. For this talk, Founder and Director of Molawin Creek Ventures Pty. Ltd. and Philippine Asian Biotechnology R&D, Inc. Dr. Leodevico “Vic” Ilag discussed the various COVID-19 variants and what to expect; Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla explored the state of nuclear energy industry in the country, and; Philippine Digital Asset Exchange Founder and CEO Mr. Nichel Gaba accentuated the status of the country’s cryptocurrency literacy and how we can boost it in the future.

Next in the list of sub-events is “Radiate,” which consisted of a video series posted from April 25 to 29. The first episode released featured Ms. Ma. Anna Patricia Mallari, a Professional Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation, discussing how to reset and reconnect with one’s inner self in who they are and what they want to be. 

LTVplus LLC HR Manager Ms. Milcah Mei Tan-Ramirez then toured around the audience in Radiate’s next episode on how to ace virtual interviews to the next level, as well as the expectations, challenges, and how to overcome them.

The last video uploaded in the series covered the enhancement and development of skills amidst a pandemic during the 21st century and its relevance to one’s prospective careers, which was spearheaded by MSS Business Chief EnterTrainment Officer Mr. Myron Sta. Ana. 

"Radiate" was then followed by the opening of “Connect,” serving as an avenue for the general public to explore the field of S&T and realize the potential of the Filipino community as scholars and innovators in the professional scene via Facebook Live on April 30. This sub-event opened up an avenue for companies to be able to share different career opportunities available nationwide and accommodate questions and platforms for those interested.

For the last day of the summit, the final round of “Prevail,” a science quiz bee type of competition amongst scholars open to all school-based and regional DOST organizations, as well as S&T degree program organizations with undergraduate representatives, was held. From the 17 teams that competed in the preliminary rounds, the top five finalists’ final battle was streamed via Facebook Live. Given the 30 questions focusing on science, Pinoy pop culture, and politics and their performance in the previous round, here are the list of awardees that prevailed in this competition:

• Special Awards:
• LF Logistics Prevail 2022 Top Scorer [for Preliminary Round]: Team 7 (Russ and Friends: Russel Veraña, Jamniel Gonzales, and Annedrei Figueroa)    
  
  
• Major Awards:
• 2nd Runner Up [14 points]: Team 5 (I Love You 3000: Joshua Anthony Cruz, Kynn Lebrillo, and Denmark Belasa)
• 1st Runner Up [15 points]: Team 4 (BPSU-DOS: Precious Muli, John David De Guzman, and Leonald Reivy Del Rosario)
• Champion [17 points]: Team 6 (Association of Integrated Mechatronics Engineering: Johnnery Aspera Jr., Alliana Marie Cruz, and Aldrin James Lucas).
  
  

The major awardees received an e-certificate, plaque, and cash prize, whereas the champion team also received individual medals. 

Prevail Directors Jose Gabriel Escorial and Erika Mae Naquila gave their closing remarks after the awarding ceremony. "NDSS 2022" was then officially wrapped up by its concluding event “Coalesce,” a gathering where participants can bond and build connections with their co-scholars across the country.

"NDSS" is the premier convention of DOST scholars across the country that has been up for 14 years in the name of credibility and service for S&T. 

For more information and updates, visit their official website, as well as NDSS and UP DOST SA’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram handles.