Scientific Conference Delineates ASEAN Research Agenda in line with the Philippines’ thematic priorities for ASEAN
19 March 2018 PASAY CITY — The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), in one of the panel sessions of its Annual Scientific Conference and 85th General Membership Assembly held at the PICC on 14 March, discussed the ASEAN research agenda and how Filipino researchers and scientists could help contribute to further realizing the Philippines’ aspirations for ASEAN which were laid out during the country’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2017.
Mr. Aian A. Caringal, Director of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Division of the Office of ASEAN Affairs and resource speaker for the conference’s session on “ASEAN Research Agenda in the Future,” urged Filipino researchers to contribute to ASEAN research and development initiatives in support of the strategic goals of maintaining regional peace and security, economic prosperity, and socio-cultural development—all reflected in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
Director Caringal said that Filipino researchers may be able to contribute to ASEAN community building through academic and scientific endeavors that would help combat transnational crimes, such as piracy, trafficking, illicit drugs, and cybercrimes; promote resolution of maritime disputes; support development of micro, small, and medium enterprises; protect the environment and natural resources, strengthen resilience in times of disasters; and improve formal, technical and vocational education, as well as women and youth empowerment, among others.
With the theme “Policy Research for Legislation,” the NRCP Scientific Conference was participated by more than 600 scientists, scholars, researchers, and academicians from all around the Philippines.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña said that this year’s conference theme echoed the urgent call for action to all researchers, scientists and innovation experts to conduct research to influence policy or conduct researches that could be used to gain the support of the public and policy makers in bringing about specific policies or policy changes in the country through legislations.
The activity also aimed to strengthen the role of NRCP, an agency under the DOST and the first research council in the Philippines and Asia, in supporting and promoting problem-oriented researches that would guide the government in creating policies for national development. END