Research Utilization

Intellectual Property Master Class kicks-off at PCAARRD

Written by Abigail F. Gueco, Cherry B. Bundalian, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services

The participants of the IP Master Class and staff members of PCAARRD (Image credit: Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD), PCAARRD)

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) kicked off the Intellectual Property (IP) Master Class recently with 25 trainees from 11 agencies.

As an intensive training-workshop on IP protection and management, the IP Master Class is composed of six modules to be conducted for 18 days spread over for five months (February to June 2018).

The Association of Patent Agent Qualifying Examination (PAQE) Professionals, Inc. (APP) developed the training curriculum with PAQE’s pool of experts serving as resource persons and training facilitators for the whole duration of the Master Class.

Composed of PAQE’s passers, the APP is the only association of certified patent agents in the country, which is administered by the European Patent Office and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

The six-module Master Class demonstrates the whole patent application flow through hands-on prior art searches, actual claim drafting, filing application, substantive examination request, responding to Formality Examination Reports (FER), up to the administration of a mock exam for patent agent aspirants.

Module 1 covers actual invention spotting, prior art search, and technology disclosure drafting. As a foundation course, Module 1 also covers the types of IPs, the IP system and policy environment, and IP relevance to the academe. Prior art search reports and invention disclosures form part of the module’s outputs.

For Module 2, the trainees are coached on writing independent and dependent claims and finalizing patent/utility model applications. As a final activity, the participants are expected to do actual filing of applications and to have personal interaction with examiners at IPOPHL.

Meanwhile, Module 3 is facilitated through guided exercises on the analyses of prior art documents and invention disclosures. The mock exam for patent agent aspirants is administered in Module 4. Module 5 tackles the patent application requirements under the International Patent System, while Module 6 coaches the trainees on how to respond to FERs. Presentation of outputs by the trainees will be the final activity of the Master Class. Each participating agency is expected to file at least one patent or utility model application.

The trainees are selected technology transfer officers of the implementing agencies of the recently approved project on Enhancing and Operationalizing Intellectual Property Management and Business Development Office (IPM-BDO) in Consortia Member Agencies.

The project involves 10 consortia member agencies which include nine state universities and colleges (SUCs): Cavite State University (CVSU) (the overall coordinator), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), UP Visayas (UPV), Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Capiz State University (CAPSU), Benguet State University (BSU), Bicol University (BU), and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP). It also involves one R&D Institution, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Five technology transfer staff from PCAARRD completes the list of trainees.

IPM-BDO aims to strengthen the capacities of selected SUCs and RDIs to effectively carry out their IP management and commercialization functions. IPM-BDOs are technology transfer offices that are envisioned to mirror the initiatives of the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC).

The DPITC serves as a one-stop hub for technology owners and generators, investors, end users, and other stakeholders within the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) innovation system.

Its activities include capability building to improve the IP management and entrepreneurship capability of consortia members/RDIs; networking and linkaging with key partners and service providers to hasten commercialization; business development and technical services (e.g. valuation, market research, valuation, etc.); funding support for IP management and pre-commercialization activities; and technology marketing and business acceleration.

IP is the next game changer in the country’s arena of AANR R&D and technology transfer. IP rights (IPR) do not only protect the invention but also provide market protection to innovators, generate income from royalties, make products available at lower cost, create jobs along the commercialization process, and generate taxes from companies and employees. However, much work is still needed to protect and commercialize our AANR innovations. Capacity building activities such as the IP Master Class is a small part of the Council’s initiative in creating a vision of a competitive AANR innovation system.

8 of the leading Filipino scientists who make us proud

Meet the 8 Filipinos who made it to the 2018 edition of the Asian Scientist 100 list

MANILA, Philippines – Whether it's tinkering with laser beams to "slow down" the speed of light, or studying mammals and researching on bat viruses for public health, Filipino scientists are relentlessly working to find ways to answer the world's most pressing questions and problems.

Their efforts have been recognized in the Philippines and have sparked the interest of the world. (READ: 5 things to make PH a better place for scientists)

In fact, Singapore-based magazine Asian Scientist included 8 of the Philippines' leading scientific researchers in its annual Asian Scientist 100, a list of the top 100 scientists from the region known for their contributions in their respective fields.

Senator Leila de Lima has filed a resolution to commend the 8 Filipinos.

"Recognizing them will also instill in them the best interests of the country in cultivating science and technology to aid in the improvement of the lives of millions of Filipinos," De Lima said.

Juliana Chan, Asian Scientist editor-in-chief, told Rappler in an email: "I am very happy to hear that Senator Leila de Lima has filed Senate Resolution No. 714 in honor of the 8 Filipino scientists on the 2018 edition of our Asian Scientist 100 list. These 8 scientists have brought great pride to the Philippines and they deserve recognition at the national level. I hope that the [resolution] receives popular support and that it gets ratified by the Senate."

Meet these 8 outstanding Filipino scientists, listed below in alphabetical order:

Lucille Abad

Senior science research specialist and chief of the Chemistry Research Section, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)

She developed a plant vitamin – an effective plant growth promoter using irradiated seaweeds. This research has also been recognized by the Japan-based Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia.

Phillip Alviola

Curator at the Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños

Alviola helped develop methods to monitor biodiversity in protected areas. He's been studying mammals, the diversity of cave-dwelling bats, and bat viruses, which earned him the moniker "Bat Man."

Nathaniel Hermosa II

Associate professor at the National Institute of Physics, UP Diliman

Physicist Hermosa's breakthrough research "twisted" light and "slowed" it down.

Mario Antonio Jiz II

Senior science research specialist, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)

Jiz significantly contributed to the study of schistosomiasis and the development of a vaccine against this disease. Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease caused by parasitic worms.

Lanndon Ocampo

Associate professor, Cebu Technological University

Ocampo developed guidelines for strategic sustainable practices in manufacturing companies. He significantly contributed to how industries could help address climate change.

Jeffrey Perez

Supervising science research specialist, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)

"Faultfinder" Perez contributed largely to the better understanding of fault lines and earthquakes in the Philippines.

Rogel Mari Sese

Program leader, National Space Development Program

Sese is an astrophysicist and an advocate of space research and development. He is spearheading what could be the Philippines' space research agency.

Aletta Concepcion Yñiguez

Assistant professor at the Marine Science Institute, UP Diliman

Yñiguez's studies contributed significantly to improving the Philippine sardine industry and managing red tide.

– Rappler.com

Illustrations by Ken Bautista / Rappler

Duterte, Filipino scientists off to Benham Rise this May

By Eimor P. Santos, CNN Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) — President Rodrigo Duterte will go to Benham Rise this month with 50 Filipino scientists who will conduct research in the vast undersea region, the Palace said Tuesday.

Duterte's visit is set on May 15-16 to commemorate the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

On May 16 last year, Duterte signed an executive order formalizing the change of name after Chinese survey ships were spotted in the area two months earlier.

Benham Rise is an undersea plateau covering 13 million hectares some 135 miles off the coast of Aurora province. The United Nations has recognized it as part of the country's extended continental shelf over which the Philippines has sole sovereign rights.

In April, Duterte said he would visit the area to assert the country's rights.

"Next week... I'm going to Benham Rise and I will make a statement there that nobody owns this place (except the Philippines)," Duterte said in an April 26 speech, adding that he would "go to war" if any other country claimed it.

Filipinos to conduct research

The President's visit "will also be to launch the start of scientific research to be conducted by around 50 scientists," Roque said.

The government was earlier criticized for allowing China to do research in waters off the northeastern part of the country, including Benham Rise, in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute. But China later said the research was done "in waters under the Philippines' jurisdiction, but not in the Benham Rise"

The region lies on the other side of the Philippine achipelago where the contested waters of the South China Sea is located. The Philippines and China are among the six claimants in the maritime dispute.

The Palace in February said foreigners may do research in Benham Rise as long as they get approval from the National Security Adviser.

Benham Rise, named after U.S. geologist Andrew Benham who discovered it in 1933, is believed to be rich in marine resources, natural gas, oil, and minerals. Last year, China named some undersea features of Benham Rise which were recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization.

K-12-READY STARBOOKS TO BE DEPLOYED IN NORTHERN MINDANAO

K12starbooks

DOST-X is all set to launch the K-12 Ready STARBOOKS in Region X. This is an answer to the country’s increasing demand for knowledge and innovation. DOST-STII, the lead agency of the project, continued its efforts to inject more science and technology information materials even for the K-12 level learners. Very soon, DOST-X will bring in updates with K-12 content to the 104 kiosks of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS (STARBOOKS) in Northern Mindanao.

Headed by Dr. Roselyn V. Arellano, DOST-X STARBOOKS focal personnel Ms. Arlene S. Inocando and Engr. Ephrem John O. Agorob strengthened both the monitoring and updating of the digitized library. Majority of the kiosks installation within Region X is located in the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, with 40 units and 30 units installed, respectively. Schools in Bukidnon such as Casisang National High School in Malaybalay, Pilar High School in Sumilao, and in Misamis Oriental – Regional Science High School in Gusa, and Kibungsod National High School in Magsaysay are among the schools in the list of the “Library in a Box” beneficiaries. All the STARBOOKS recipients will be receiving the update within the calendar year 2018.

A major event that will be conducted for STARBOOKS in 2018 is the upcoming Mindanao Cluster National STARBOOKS Stakeholders Convention. This will be held in November 2018 at General Santos City. This event will showcase a convergence of a network of STARBOOKS all over the country. DOST regional offices will soon be sending out invitation letters to selected participants for the event.

STARBOOKS, a stand-alone information source, is being hailed as a helpful tool in bringing science and technology to students in rural and urban areas. Its offline feature enables learners to access digitized S&T materials and science-and-technology-enriched resources.

Although DOST-X has reached a significant number of schools with STARBOOKS installed, DOST-X’S Director, Alfonso P. Alamban, and the regional office’s STARBOOKS staff are still on the height of encouraging academic institutions to avail of the digitized library. Believing that science and technology in young minds will create bigger steps to a more innovative country in the future, DOST-X takes the head-on challenge to bring in science-and-technology-at-the-fingertips of every Filipino in the region. (Julie Anne H. Baculio, DOST-X)

DOST Director Sumabat: RP technology getting at par with SEA neighbors

by Edward B. Antonio

VIGAN CITY – We are getting hi-tech.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through DOST Provincial Director Ramon Sumabat said the country is right on its track to becoming at par with other South East Asian countries when it comes to the improvement of science and technology.

“We are about to launch our second micro-satellite that will greatly improve our communications. For the last 3 to 4 years, we have updated our technology in disaster and calamity preparation, medical and agriculture sectors and in ICT, and our research and development institutes are continually developing new technologies,” he said during a Kapihan Iti Amianan interview at the DOST here in Barangay Tamag this weekened.

He also cited that the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) based in Tapao, Sinait, has received big funding to update its equipment and is beefed up by the deployment of solar-powered “Early Warning Device” gadgets which are automatic water level systems that serve as auto-rain gauges placed in bridges to serve as warning for impending landslides or floods.

“These gadgets transmit information to the national PAGASA weather bureau which, in turn, will officially declare the weather situation and the latest weather bulletin in the locality,” he said.
He lamented, however, the lack of PAGASA personnel as many of them are migrating abroad for “greener pastures.”

“We cannot prevent them from going abroad that’s why the DOST has its continuous scholarship program to train ‘back-ups’ in case situations like this occur. It is the goal of the DOST to train at least 400 Computer Numerically-Controlled System Technicians annually who will work in the metal industry and where computers are used in the manufacture of airplane spare parts — which we are now engaged,” he said.

On the query why a gadget has not been discovered to predict the coming of an earthquake, he said that no invention has been made to date, probably because unlike in weather forecast where a tropical disturbance is visible, earthquakes are caused by plate movements. He also said that typhoons are pre-named that’s why once a typhoon is sighted entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it already has a ready name.

In medical technology, the DOST, he said, is about to distribute 1000 medical gadgets throughout the country called “Rx Box”, a cellphone-like gadget that can monitor blood pressure and other vital signs and can be used as ECG gadget.

“This hi-tech gadget would be very useful in remote barangays and can be used to consult a doctor in real time,” he said.

In the case of the funding of Special Science Classes in DepEd schools, he said that it is supporting these DepEd-DOST accredited SSCs financially like the Ilocos Sur National High School and Sinait National High School.

“For those which receive no DOST funds, they can always request for funding and we can always endorse these requests to our higher authorities for consideration,” he said.

He also announced the holding of the DOST’s Science and Technology Caravan at the Sinait National High School on May 9-11, 2018. The caravan seeks to help farmers; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); bamboo weavers; salt producers; food handlers and manufacturers and the general public on their problems of production, manufacturing technology, product preservation, testing and calibration and technical problems.

The forum focused on the preventive treatment of bamboo, engineered bamboo production, bamboo charcoaling, salt processing and iodization, garlic value-adding and black garlic, food safety for food handlers, regional standards and testing laboratory services and the DOST programs and projects for MSMEs. (EDWARD B. ANTONIO)

PHOTO CREDIT: By Edward B. Antonio