DOST, ISAT U collaborate for data science program and Smart Cities

DOST 6 Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga (3rd from left), PCIEETRD Executive Director Enrico C. Paringit (c) and ISAT U President Raul F. Muyong join hands after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the  research equipment and facilities portal for Program on Data Science for Good Governance. Witnessing the signing of the MOU are (l-R) Engr. Emelyn P. Flores, DOST 6 ARD  for Technical Operation:  Dr. Rowena Christina L. Guevara, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development; Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ISAT U VPRE and Engr. Naci John C. Trance, IPMO Director.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEETRD) and the Department of Science and Technology through Western Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (WVCIEETRD) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to maintain and develop research equipment and facilities in the area of data science and smart cities.

Under the agreement, ISAT U can provide the necessary expertise and facilities needed for the collaboration to complement the PCIEETRD science and technology sectoral plans and programs on its delineated sector which includes Data Science and Smart Cities.

As defined by DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico C. Paringit, a smart city harnesses the use of science and technology and innovation to deliver good governance and services to be public.

Paringit explained the concept of the portal for Program on Data Science and Good Governance which is also in line with ISAT U’s thrust in research and development, and computer studies. “They (ISAT U) will have to train a pool of students and people working at the local governments in order to apply data science techniques”.

DOST Region VI Director Rowen R. Gelonga added that the purpose of the collaboration between DOST and ISAT U is to create a pool of experts on data science or data analytics.

Gelonga also passed on the challenge to ISAT U to probably open degree programs or even post-graduate programs related to data science, which is a multi-disciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration in the growth of smart cities. Gelonga also divulge “Innovate Iloilo” which is a master plan to position Iloilo as an innovation hub by 2030. “This is a broad-based multi-stakeholders effort involving the local government units, the business sector, the government, the academe and the research institutions and other stakeholders’ collaboration of the local government units and other stakeholders,” he said.

The MOU was signed by Engr. Gelonga, Dir. Paringit and ISAT U President Raul F. Muyong was held during the ninth anniversary of DOST-PCIEERD held for the first time in Iloilo City on June 13, 2019.