USAID-STRIDE, NOCCI sets regional innovation workshop in Dumaguete

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): USAID-STRIDE, NOCCI sets regional innovation workshop in Dumaguete

With the perennial problem of slow Internet connectivity in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental, the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (NOCCI) has invited the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) Program for a regional focused workshop in Dumaguete City on October 20.

NOCCI president Edward Du confirmed this Monday, at the same time saying that he is looking forward to the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte warning key players in the telecommunications industry to improve their services or face serious competition from China.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) Program is a multi-year initiative established to create inclusive economic growth in the Philippines by advancing science and technology research among local higher education institutions (HEIs), and advocating collaborations with universities and select industry counterparts.

The regional focused innovation workshop, titled “Science and Technology Solutions to Local Problems through Industry-Academe Linkages” aims to clearly define innovative solutions and technical needs that are of interest to industries and local governments in Dumaguete and neighboring towns, said NOCCI President Edward Du.

It is envisioned that such technical ideas and topics can become future collaborative research projects between industry, academe, and local government units that STRIDE or other agencies can support.
Among the broad industrial topics to be discussed include Renewable Energy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Solid Waste Management, Internet Connectivity, etc.

“We believe this workshop will be vital in defining long term research goals that drive inclusive economic growth for the region”, according to Edward Du and Dr. Richard S. Abendan, Research & Industry Partnerships Manager of USAID-STRIDE.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=930224