The Philippine-Rural Development Administration (RDA in South Korea) Alumni Association (PhilKoRAA) held its Sixth General Assembly and Convention on September 29-30, 2016 at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC), in Los Baños, Laguna.
PhilKoRAA is composed of 220 fellows and trainees from DOST-PCAARRD’s National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network (NAARRDN) and other government and private organizations who have gone to RDA for capability building and global technology and information search.
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), recognized the importance of the event in relation to the Agency’s goal of bringing scientific information and technologies closer to the people for agricultural development.
Highlighting the outcomes or impacts of technology transfer initiatives and how they have transformed communities, PhilKoRAA adopts the theme: Technology Transmission to Community Transformation for this year’s convention.
Ebora acknowledged the consistent support of the Rural Development Administration of South Korea for the NAARRDN through the PhilKoRAA, especially on technology transfer projects and capability building activities.
Citing efforts on how DOST-PCAARRD advocates for strong promotion of S&T services in the regions, Ebora mentioned the services provided by its DPITC in relation to R&D results utilization.
The DPITC, DOST-PCAARRD’s newest World-Class facility, once fully operational, will be equipped with state of the art computing and communications equipment, exhibit, training and convention facilities, and office spaces. The center is the first One-Stop-Information-Service-Shop and Convergence Hub for technology generators and users in the agriculture and aquatic sectors in the Philippines.
Ebora encouraged PhilKoRAA members to assist in the crafting of technology commercialization programs for the benefit of the different communities in the country as a precursor for development.