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By Nora O. Gamolo Senior Desk
Editor
Seven Balik Scientists vowed to
help strengthen the science and technology sector of the country by
working with universities, industry, government agencies and civil
society.
Believing they have a role in
developing the country, the seven scientists—chemists Jane Betty
and Ma. Cynthia Goh and Teresita Kullberg, physicist Alfonso Albano,
geologist Kelvin Rodolfo, nutrition and dairy expert Antonio L.
Ordoveza, and molecular biologist Leopold Ilag—are now here in the
country as recipients of the 2008 Balik Scientist program of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
All have earned their respective
doctoral degrees, and their researches and works published in
research publications all over the world.
The Balik Scientist program
encourages Filipino expatriates who have made a name in the field of
sciences and technology to come back to the country for at least a
month, or even as long as three years, and to share their knowledge
with Filipino scientists and technologists. It was first piloted in
1975 and revived in 1993 under the DOST’s supervision.
To date, almost 300 Balik
Scientists have shared their expertise through the program.
“The program was one of the
main thrusts of the DOST as proposed during the Innovation Summit
last year,” said Science and Technology Secretary Estrella
Alabastro.
In a press briefing where they
were presented, the seven scientists proposed that the knowledge
they will share be commercialized or applied in industries so jobs
could be created, and a core of scientists could be developed.
“We will also welcome the
opportunity to network with other sectors, like nongovernment
organizations and people’s organizations,” Goh said.
Albano, a physicist, said that
the growth of science and technology need not be confined to Manila.
He actually lauded the conduct of the world-famous Jagna Conference
in Bohol every three years, which bring together some of the
world’s famous scientists.
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