DOST, Philippine Embassy Hold Balik Scientist Webinar for Filipino Sci-Tech Community in France

Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. leads the Balik Scientist orientation with Undersecretary Leah Buendia and Executive Director Eric Paringit.

PARIS 26 December 2024 – The Department of Science & Technology (DOST) headed by Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Paris, conducted an online Balik Scientist Program (BSP) orientation with the Filipino science and technology community in France on 12 December 2024. The webinar was held on the occasion of the Philippine Week celebrating the resumption of direct flights between Manila and Paris, and gathered 24 audience members from the scientific field along with DOST and Embassy officials for an information session on government-led initiatives that seek to promote brain gain in the fields of sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

During the webinar, Secretary Solidum cited key benefits of BSP which aims to promote information exchange and accelerate the flow of new technology into the country through strengthening the scientific and technological workforce of the academe and public and private institutions. The program’s objective is to encourage Filipino scientists and technologists to return and reside in the Philippines and share their expertise for the development of the country.

An interactive session followed where attendees from various sciences and engineering fields now based in France expressed their interest on BSP and their appreciation for the initiative of gathering sci-tech members of the community. Executive Director Eric Paringit of DOST expounded on the short-term and long-term engagements under BSP and possible institutional partnerships that may host visiting scientists. 

The Philippine Embassy commits to partner with DOST in leveraging the strong presence of the  Filipino sci-tech community all over France and promoting their participation in nation-building through innovation and knowledge production. This engagement with the community aligns and complements the country’s overall longterm development goals. END.

Participants engage in a question and answer session during the orientation to know more about the DOST’s Balik Scientist Program. 

For more information, visit  https://www.parispe.dfa.gov.ph, http://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance, https://twitter.com/PHinFrance or https://www.instagram.com/phinfrance/.