DOST mulls entrepreneurship training for science scholars

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said training science and engineering scholars to set up their own business would open up more opportunities to make profit out of their research and innovations. (File photo: DOST Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Sunday said it is eyeing to provide entrepreneurship training for scholars taking science, engineering and other related programs.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said training science and engineering scholars to set up their own business would open up more opportunities to make profit out of their research and innovations.

“Science, Technology, Engineering, Math ang focus nila. Gusto ko magkaroon sila ng at least man lang training ng entrepreneurship para hindi lang science ang kanilang nakikita. Magkaroon na rin sila ng ideya o ma-expose sila na yung mga scientist, pwede maging entrepreneurs kasi ‘yun ang kailangan natin (They usually focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math. I want them to have entrepreneurship training so it’s not just science they see. They can also have ideas or exposure to become entrepreneurs because that’s what we need),” he said in an interview over DZBB.

Solidum said entrepreneurship training would allow scientists and engineers to elevate themselves from being employees to owners of their own tech companies.

“Hindi yung empleyado ka lang. Baka mayroon kang maisip na innovation, either i-commercialize mo ‘yan at ibenta mo yung technology o ikaw mismo ang magdevelop ng sarili mong company (So you won’t just remain as an employee. You might think of an innovation that you can either commercialize or sell or develop your own company),” he said.

He cited the likes of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla co-founder and chief executive officer Elon Musk as examples of successful tech entrepreneurs.

Solidum said he also wanted to partner with local businesses to give scientists and engineers a business model to start with.

Currently, he said the DOST is also providing support to patent inventions of students taking under the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) strand.

“Kahit yung sa mga Philippine Science High School at maliban diyan, yung mga winners natin sa mga pa-contest na na-i-involve ang technology tinutulungan natin ma-patent at yung mga talagang magaganda kahit high school pa lang ay napa-patent na (We help students in the Philippine Science High School and winners of contests patent their technology),” he added.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the DOST and their partner institutions to provide more scholarships to Filipino students to develop a bigger pool of scientists, researchers and innovators in the country.

He said the government must provide opportunities for scientists to learn new skills, citing how science and technology will determine the country’s success in the coming years.

Marcos previously described himself as a “frustrated scientist”, urging scientists to make use of their researches and innovations for the benefit of the Filipinos.