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AASSA-NAST PHL calls for synergy among researchers, scientists and stakeholders

Tuesday, October 03, 2017 11:52 PM    Views : 791by:PIA-Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Oct 2 (PIA) – The international symposium organized by the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA) and the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), supported by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippines held in Tagaytay City, has called for collaboration among scientists, researchers, private and public sectors to produce tangible results from the different scientific researches through translational research.

Dr. Michael Barber, a member of the expert panel of the IAP, emphasized the importance of cognitive diversity, collaboration, and engagement of researchers with policy makers for the success of translational research. According to him, science in the academies can affect the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He challenged the science community to think about how science advice can be translated to mechanisms, framework, and tools for the attainment of the SDGs.

AASSA President, Dr. Yoo Hang Kim, said that the disconnection between and among basic science researchers, implementers, and end users must be addressed through translational research. He encouraged the researchers to put prime consideration to the end users of the study. Relevance of research is important in integrating translational research to societal policies.

During the two-day activity, topics related to translational research were tackled, such as metrics for success, communications strategy, financing mechanism, agriculture and biological sciences, translational research through science and engineering education, translational research in health, social sciences, and policy.

Experts from different parts of Asia, including the Philippines, and Australia presented the results of their studies, including the challenges they faced in making their projects successful. They emphasized the importance of synergy and collaboration in the process. Different strategies were also presented on how to best communicate science.

Resolutions summarizing the recommendations of the AASSA-NAST PHL International Symposium were presented to DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña by the AASSA President Dr. Yoo Hang Kim and NAST Philippines Academician William G. Padolina during the closing ceremonies of the international symposium.

In response, Secretary de la Peña elaborated that a scientist alone cannot do the full translation of research. The support of other stakeholders, in public and private sector, is very important. The communication of research results in an appropriate and timely manner will make its utilization possible.

AASSA-NAST PHL International Workshop recommended 6 action points for science academies and their networks that include (1) formulating and developing strategies on how member academies can share and learn from best practices in research translation; (2) promoting and supporting multi- and trans-disciplinary research to realize real and holistic impacts on the community; (3) advocating and supporting ethics and scientific robustness in the conduct of research; (4) communicating in an appropriate and timely manner to all key stakeholders the available knowledge or technologies from researches for their utilization; (5) training and mentoring young talents on research translation by providing innovative platforms for learning and development, including mobility among academies; and (6) promoting collaborative initiatives among academies to help in the attainment of the SDGs.

For higher educational institutions, it was recommended that the teaching of research translation in science and technology be imbedded in STEM degree programs, as a critical link to the supply chain of new concepts, devices and systems.

On the other hand, funding agencies should recognize and support technology transfer as a critical step in the process of research and development, either through adoption and commercialization by the private sector or deployment by mandated government agencies as part of national and local programs.

Lastly, all R&D Stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate in the formulation of the Research and Development Agenda, in order to focus resources on priority issues. The national government is urged to provide an enabling and conducive environment to realize the full cycle of research and development in relation to the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations.

The Academy expressed its hope that the results of the international symposium will be favorably considered by the concerned sectors of the society in the different AASSA-member countries. 

Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1000699

S & T Trivia

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