DOST’s Balik Scientist Program Launched in The Netherlands
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora (photo courtesy of DOST - PCAARRD)
THE HAGUE 17 October 2024 – The launch of the Balik Scientist Program by a delegation from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (DOST-PCAARRD) on 08 October 2024 was warmly received by Filipinos in The Netherlands who are in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The launch introduced the DOST-PCAARRD’s key initiatives to enhance networking with Filipino scientific and academic communities in The Netherlands and the rest of the world, fostering long-term partnerships that would benefit the Philippines’ agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector.
Led by DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, the delegation was composed of Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, Deputy Executive Director III; Dr. Fezoil Luz Decena, Senior Science Research Specialist; and Dr., Jesselle Laranas and Ms. Eriza Asilo, Science Research Specialists.
Dr. Ebora provided an overview of DOST’s priority programs, including the Balik Scientist Program, which aims to address brain drain in the country by enticing Filipino experts abroad to share their expertise. He noted that the Philippines only has 270 researchers, scientists, and engineers (RSEs) per million population, which is below the UNESCO benchmark of 380 RSEs. Increasing the number of highly trained professionals in science and technology is crucial for enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya expressed appreciation for the visit, underscoring the significance of international scientific collaboration in addressing challenges in climate change, food security, and sustainable resource management, and other areas. “For a country like the Philippines, where agriculture is the backbone of our economy and the livelihood of millions, research is not just important – it is vital,” he said. “Our Filipino scientists, researchers, and scholars are key to this mission. By staying connected to the homeland, they contribute immensely to its progress.”
Two scientists based in The Netherlands recently participated in the Balik Scientist Program, namely Dr. Dan Jeric Rustia, who assisted the De La Salle University in developing a mosquito monitoring system, and Dr. Arnan Araza, whose expertise in remote sensing contributed to research on the West Philippine Sea.
The forum concluded with a lively discussion, as participants expressed keen interest in supporting ongoing research, academic exchanges, and collaborative initiatives of the DOST. Many of them committed to exploring participation in the DOST’s iGREAT and Sandwich Programs. https://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/services/graduate-assistantships-non-degree-trainings
Following the Embassy visit, DOST-PCAARRD officials held meetings with officials of the Wageningen University and Research (WUR) on 09 October 2024 on opportunities for cooperation in graduate education and research.
The Balik Scientist Program, institutionalized under Republic Act 11035 in 2018, is a strategic initiative of DOST. It has engaged 644 Balik Scientists to address critical human resource gaps in the agriculture, industry, and health sectors. https://bsp.dost.gov.ph END
DOST officials, Ambassador Malaya and FilCom STEM community in The Netherlands
Dr. Melvin B. Carlos (photo courtesy of DOST - PCAARRD)
Dr. Fezoil Luz Decena
Community Filcom Leader Myra Colis, undertaking LLM Technology Law and an entrepreneurial advocate for Ethical Al Governance
(from left to right: Dr. Perpetua Corazon Dee, Dr. Arnan Araza, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Dr. Melvin Carlos, Dr. Reynaldo Ebora and Dr. Fezoil Luz Decena)
(from left to right: Dr. Fezoil Luz Decena, Dr. Melvin Carlos, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, Dr. Jesselle Laranas and Ms. Eriza Asilo)
Dr. Dan Jeris Rustia, a BSP awardee, assisted the De La Salle University in developing a mosquito monitoring system
Dr. Arnan B. Araza, a BSP awardee, whose expertise in remote sensing contributed to research on the West Philippine Sea
Kalyan Guntuboyina (standing), Wageningen University and Research (WUR) Account Manager Asia, introduces WUR to the DOST-PCAARRD delegation (photo courtesy of DOST - PCAARRD)
Tim Verhoeven (rightmost, in red), Student NPEC Guide, tours the delegation around the NPEC facility. The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC) is a joint initiative of Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University. This integrated, national research facility is housed by Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University and is co-funded by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). (source: https://www.npec.nl/about-npec/) (photo courtesy of DOST - PCAARRD)
NPEC’s Greenhouse (photo courtesy of DOST - PCAARRD)
For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://twitter.com/PHinTheHague, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.