Work with MSMEs, SUCs told

MANILA, Philippines — Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña has urged scientists and researchers in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and private higher education institutions (HEIs) to closely collaborate with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and technology startups, including those set up by inventors and innovators, so they can produce “useful” science and technology research.

Dela Peña said collaboration between academe-based scientists and researchers, and local entrepreneurs will ensure that the billions of pesos invested by the Department of Science and Technology in research and development grants to SUCs and HEIs are not wasted, but result in new innovative products, or help MSMEs attain higher productivity and competitiveness.

“The goal of our scientists and researchers should not be just to produce studies that get published, many of which just gather dust in the library, but these should lead to innovation, or new products, or product development among our entrepreneurs,” Dela Pena said.