CSU’s 7th Scitech4Dev Forum Showcases Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development

The 7^th SciTech4Dev Forum highlighted the research-based development initiatives of the Caraga State University and its partners in promoting sustainable development in local government. The two-day event, conducted virtually on October 26 and 27, has reached over 5k people via fb live. In the opening rites, Undersecretary Alan A. Silor of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the event’s Keynote Speaker, emphasized the role of interconnectivity in bringing information to everyone especially during these trying times to sustain efforts related to local development.

CSU President Anthony M. Penaso, in his opening message, revealed the strategic direction of the university towards becoming an Innovation University. Moreover, Dr Rowena P. Varela, the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension, stressed the significance of research and innovation as the foundation in planning towards sustainable development in local government.

During the Plenary Session, all of the invited speakers from partner institutions, namely: University of the Philippines (UP), Ramsar Regional Center of East Asia (RRC-EA) in Korea, and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) in Taiwan emphasized the importance of science and technology foundation in attaining the sustainable development goals.

Professor Ernesto M. Serote of the School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) of UP talked about Land Use Planning as the Foundation for Sustainable Development. Dr. Czar Jakiri M. Sarmiento, the Director of the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry at UP, shared his experience in Linking Up Geomatics and Social Science Research in the Development of Smart Cities based on his research on Smart City in Iloilo. From the international perspective, Mr Suh Seung Oh, Director of the RRC-EA, shared how wetlands are managed for local economic development, conservation and ecotourism. He gave the example of Suncheon Wetlands in local wetland development which is now providing the ecosystem services to the local communities.

Meanwhile, Dr. Way Long of the Department of Wood Science at NPUST shared his work on the applications of circular economy in the management of wastes from the wood-based industry and agriculture, emphasizing on the importance of increasing people awareness about valorization of wastes.

Highlights of the research and innovation initiatives of the university were shared in other sessions to showcase the findings applicable to local governance in the areas of DRRM, agriculture, forestry, and mining. The S&T Expo, that adopts an online platform, showcased the various Research and Innovation Centers of CSU. The projects and services offered in the centers were featured to invite users and potential partners from the LGUs and industry to engage with the centers. Researchers from the university presented their research results to LGU participants.

The Department of Interior and Local Government of Caraga Region (DILG-13) facilitated the participation of LGUs in the event. Panel of reactors from NEDA-13, DOST-Caraga, LGU, and Industry joined the discussion. The finale of the 7^th Scitech4Dev Forum is arriving at an agreement to conduct a more frequent dialogue between CSU and the LGUs with the participation of the Regional Line Agencies to heighten awareness on S&T-based sustainable development in local government. RPV/OVPRIE/pico

For more information, please follow this link: https://web.facebook.com/scitech4dev/videos/3089626891355839