DOST-MIRDC Committed to Make its Presence Felt in Region II through MEIC-CSU
By: Zalda R. Gayahan
Not every day, a state university receives assistance from a government agency. On September 25, 2024, the bright skies and the clear weather lay witness to another milestone of the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC). It was on this day that the DOST-MIRDC was able to strengthen its pursuit of establishing mini-MIRDCs in the region – through turning over the Metals and Engineering Innovation Center (MEIC) to the Cagayan State University.
Key officials of the DOST, DOST-MIRDC, and CSU were present during the event to celebrate the collaboration that resulted in the establishment of a facility that will catalyze the innovativeness of metals, engineering, and allied industries in the region – the MEIC.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum leads officials in the unveiling of the MEIC-CSU marker during the handover ceremony on September 25, 2024 held at the CSU Carig Campus.
DOST-MIRDC Executive Director shared how the MEIC concept began with instructions from the former DOST Undersecretary for R&D, Dr. Rowena L. Guevara. According to Director Dizon, Usec Guevara brought forward the idea of putting up metals innovation centers in all regions. This idea was then supported by former DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña. Dir. Dizon further shared that the framework included coordination with DOST Regional Offices who were given the role of nominating a state university where the MEIC will be located. DOST Regional Office II was among the first five regional offices that nominated an SUC, which is the very proactive and supportive CSU
DOST-MIRDC Executive Director Engr. Robert O. Dizon shares the story of the MEIC during the handover ceremony of the MEC-CSU.
Dr. Marilen V. Cauilan, opens the handover ceremony of the MEIC-CSU on September 25, 2024.
President for Academic Affairs of the CSU said, ‘We are really so thankful to DOST. There are many areas of collaboration we have with DOST. We hope to have more collaborations.’ Dr. Cauilan further suggested that the CSU and DOST collaborations can continue to make significant contributions to the global community through strengthening local brands.
The MEIC in CSU is part of the first batch of the MEIC project whose implementation started on August 1, 2021. MEIC batch 1 was completed on July 31, 2023.
Usec. Leah J.Buendia addresses the guests during the handover ceremony.
USec Leah J. Buendia, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, also gave her support to the handover ceremony. ‘We are all proud to witness that the results of R&D will be used by and transferred to CSU. This is one of the visions of Secretary Solidum – to roll out our R&D results not only to researchers but also to adopters,’ Usec. Buendia remarked.
DOST envisions the achievement of national development through science, technology, and innovation. Supporting the DOST in the realization of this vision are its seven attached research and development institutes, one of which is the DOST-MIRDC.
The rollout of the R&D results to adopters, Usec. Buendia said, ‘is DOST’s commitment in the next four years.’
Usec. Sancho A. Mabborang, Undersecretary for Regional Operations, urges the audience to keep on innovating.
Usec Sancho A. Mabborang, Undersecretary for Regional Operations, warmly welcomed all guests to the turnover ceremony and urged everyone to keep reaching for goals. In his message, Usec Mabborang said, ‘We have made significant steps toward the realization of aspirations. We are moving forward. Ituloy-tuloy po natin ang trabaho. We need to keep innovating. We need to keep aspiring.’
By aspirations, Usec. Mabborang was referring to DOST and MIRDC’s aspirations of utilizing science, technology, and innovation to achieve national development. Usec. Mabborang also mentioned the Electromobility Research and Development Center (EMRDC), similar to the MEIC, one of the newest facilities that make the CSU’s portfolio of technologies more complete and competitive. According to Usec. Mabborang, the MEIC, EMRDC, and CSU should work together and continue to innovate to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
Making the economy grow is a vision shared by all, especially by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum. He expressed his hope that the MEIC-CSU will make a lot of products. Sec. Solidum reminded everyone: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ This quote, according to him, is a perfect reminder for the why the EMRDC and the MEIC are facilities established at the CSU. ‘I hope that we can show to the public that this (EMRDC and MEIC) is the way to go for sustainability efforts and to make sure that our environment is clean,’ Sec. Solidum shared. ‘Bottom line is we really want to make sure that our R&D contributes to our economy.’
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. expresses his hopes that DOST, MIRDC, and CSU contribute to the economy through R&D.
After the initial program, DOST and CSU officials conducted a brief tour of the CSU campus to visit the Food Innovation Center, EMRDC, and hold the unveiling of the MEIC marker.
DOST-MIRDC provided various equipment to complete the establishment of the MEIC, including a hydraulic shearing machine, power hacksaw, sheet metal roller, hydraulic press brake, workstation with CAD/CAE software, and various electric and hand tools, among others.
Some of the equipment installed at the MEIC-CSU intended to encourage the industry and academe to engage in R&D.
The handover ceremony is one milestone for the DOST, DOST-MIRDC, and the CSU as the MEIC will continue to serve as a facility for R&D, consultancy and technology transfer collaborations with metals and engineering companies, universities, and other potential users. Being a technology hub for the regions, especially for the metals and engineering firms, DOST-MIRDC will now be able to extend its services to more industry players in the countryside.
