GOVPH

The Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster stronger ties and to establish a long-term and sustainable partnership with its partner academic institutions on 29 August 2024.

With its mandate to undertake training in Science and Technology Information, the DOST-STII has been conducting training and workshop activities across the country, under the Science Journo Ako advocacy program.

This year, Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School in Parañaque City, Cotta National High School in Lucena City, Governor Ferrer Memorial Integrated High School in Cavite, and Ismael Mathay Senior High School in Quezon City reached out to DOST-STII to seal a one-year partnership in equipping their students with skills in Science News and Feature Writing and Social Media Content Creation.

“We are grateful, we are thankful, and we are honored na kami po ay muli, naging bahagi [of the partnership]. We are looking for more collaboration and engagement with you to further enhance our teachers in terms of quality of delivery and instructions, and of course to strengthen our Special Program for Journalism”, said Dr. Ferdinand A. Fontillo, Principal IV of Ismael Mathay Sr. High School.

Under the partnership, the four academic institutions and the DOST-STII have agreed to develop capacity-building programs on science communication, promotion, and advocacy for various stakeholders like students, employees, scientists, and researchers.

These capacity-building programs may be delivered through various modes such as in-person or webinar training courses, student and expert exchange or mobility, and shared facilities for the conduct of training programs and the development of science communication campaigns.

“The ability of our students to understand and express their thoughts, insights, and learning on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM, is very crucial in determining success or failure…As teachers, you have the power to provide your students with the competencies and skills they need”, Rodolfo P. De Guzman, chief of the Communication Resources and Production Division (CRPD) said.

“On behalf po of our Principal, Dr. Carmen H. Macatugob, kami po sa Cotta National high School ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa napakahalagang pangyayaring ito sa kasaysayan ng aming paaralan. Kasi po, ngayon lamang po nangyari sa amin na magkaroon ng napaka bigating partner. Kaya it-treasure po naming ang moment na ito, rest assured po na kami po, Cotta National High School ay ipagpapatuloy kung ano man po ang ating nasimulan”, Sherilyn P. Peñaflor, Head Teacher of Cotta National High School said.

Also present at the signing to represent their respective schools were Dr. Ramy R. Dalida, Principal IV of Governor Ferrer Memorial Integrated High School, and Dr. Marilou A. De Jesus, Principal IV of Dr. Arcadio Santos National High.

As part of the ceremonial signing, the partner schools were toured around the DOST-STII’s facility and were introduced to the products and services offered by the agency such as STARBOOKS and the library of the Information Resources and Analysis Division (IRAD) and the DOSTv studio of the CRPD. #