DOST gets P3.6M in assistance for Youth Science Summit

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology is set to receive a total of $83, 859 or P3.6 million, with an optional contingency fund of another $5,000 to organize the first Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Science Summit. The amount will come from the ASEAN Foundation (AF), a funding agency focusing on social development, science and technology, environment and culture and information technology. The ASEAN Youth Science Summit will be part of the upcoming 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week, which also coincides with the National Science and Technology Week from July 1 to 11. Under the agreement, the DOST will be responsible for implementing the project in accordance with the project proposal and budget approved by the AF. The initial fund disbursement will be $67,087, with the second ASEAN Youth Science Summit project by AF. Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro said the fund would bear the cost of flying in participants and delegates from other countries to the Philippines during the Science Summit. She noted that the aim of the ASEAN Youth Science Summit is to strengthen collaboration between students and faculty from schools in other countries and to promote science and technology education. Newly installed AF executive director Filemon Uriarte Jr. said he hopes to increase the AF's reach and to encourage more projects for funding to come from the Philippines. "We have to strengthen collaboration among the different sectors, from scientists, engineers, researchers, teachers, students and even the media so that we could share our capabilities," he said. Uriarte also unveiled an education PC game called ASEAN Quest.