JUST IN: Filipino innovation (Filipinnovation) success stories in business were the stars in science books launched Thursday by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The success and impact of Filipino small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that adopted innovations were shared in three books in the new series titled “Science For The People (SFTP)” presented in a virtual presser streamed live on DOST social media on September 24, 2020.
The trilogy of books namely, Science For Scale, Science For Success, and Science For Social Change, highlight how technological innovations pushed various enterprises towards success while helping their communities, and ultimately helping the Filipino nation.
The DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) facilitated the writing of the three books and subjected them for review.
DOST secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña introduced the books saying, “These are the very reasons why we put together our aspirations, inspirations, and stories to present the human side of science.”
“In the pages of the books, we see the positive changes in communities and how people learned to help themselves through what we call social innovations,” added the DOST secretary.
The Philippines’ Science and Technology chief praised all the selected stories for illustrating how collaboration between entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers can produce solutions for the business community.
“The selected stories demonstrated success with DOST intervention. We chose them because they are the most inspiring,” Sec. de la Peña added.
Asked which success stories he considered most memorable, De la Peña noted the Nutridense story of a small-time entrepreneur turned exporter, the development of the Cocopatch as an alternative to the expensive wound dressing, and the Filipino Patriot Scholars Project that produces graduates with a mission to help the Philippines.
“Mapapaluha ka how the project inculcates in the hearts and minds of scholars, that they have a mission to fulfill after their scholarship,” recalls the DOST secretary.
Book 1 Science for Scale: Stories of How Companies Embraced Innovation for Growth
Author: Winston Damarillo, digital transformation pioneer behind the company Amihan Global Strategies
Science for Scale features people who are engaged in Research & Development and whom DOST assisted in the conversion of their study output into actual businesses.
Author Winston Damarillo writes, “There is always a better way. The first step to coming up with a game-changing product, technology or anything, is putting in hours of mental labor and experimentation to arrive at a prototype.”
Academician Dr. Alvin B. Culaba, Past President of NRCP and Distinguished Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering, De La Salle University Manila on his review said “Mr. Damarillo did an outstanding work by providing an easy-to-follow and candid real-life account of the significance of science in every aspect of life.
Book 2 Science for Success: Stories of How Science and Technology Can Help Your Business
Authors: Maret Follosco-Bautista, Chairman and President of companies under the CL Follosco Group, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.
Science for Success is recommended to be read by leaders for them to realize how science & technology can help improve marginalized businesses.
Co-authors Maret Follosco-Bautista and Robina Gokongwei-Pe share, “In tough times, entrepreneurs display grit to steer the people they are responsible for toward a stable future. In this book, we tell stories of innovative individuals all over the country who have embraced science and technology as a strategy for survival and growth.”
For Dr. Elena E. Pernia, Vice-President for Public Affairs and Dean of the College of Mass Communication, UPD, she simply said “Science makes good business, and business needs science. This is the main theme of the book, Science for Success — a delightful and engaging reading whether one is an entrepreneur or thinking of becoming one.”
Book 3 Science for Social Change: Helping People Help Themselves
Author: Dr. Segundo Romero, President of the Universities and Research Councils Network in Innovation for Inclusive Development in Southeast Asia (UNIID-SEA)
Science for Social Change puts the spotlight on entrepreneurs who have the drive to grow and improve using technology to positively impact their communities.
Author Dr. Segundo Romero says, “This book aims to present a comprehensive picture of how science and technology has impacted the lives of ordinary Filipinos in their communities, featuring social innovations to solve wicked problems and dilemmas in society. The book seeks where this impact is greatest or most significant and describes and evaluates this impact.” Book 3 is scheduled to be published in November.
As part of the book launch, 250 printed copies of the books 1 and 2 will be given away via a post at DOST-NRCP’s Facebook Page – Research Pod. Soft copies (pdf) of the books will be downloadable free via the DOST Philippines Facebook Page. Visit these FB Pages after the book launch.
The book series aims to inspire and encourage more collaboration between DOST and the private sector in creating value-adding technologies and capabilities in developing the local industries’ competitiveness as the world enters the era of the fourth industrial revolution.
DOST had also recently released the Pandemic Manual of Technologies Needed in Health Emergencies.
The Philippines’ Science Communication and DOST efforts were also cited in a new science book published by the Australian National University.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to DOST, the authors, and the featured Filipino business innovation successes in the new Science For The People book series.
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