DAVAO CITY, October 21 (PIA) – A series of virtual forum set on November 3-5 will highlight the celebration of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) in Davao Region as the Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST) prepared virtual forum on topics such as COVID19 response, innovations in health, food processing, environmental management, and science communication.

“ This is our way of celebrating the contribution of science, technology and innovation towards socio-economic development of the country,” DOST XI regional director Dr. Anthony Sales said during his guesting in the One Davao Virtual Presser.

A forum on “The Science of Chocolate” is set on November 3; “Conservation Education Initiatives for the Philippine Eagle Amid the Pandemic” and “Additive Manufacturing on Medical Applications” are set on November 4; while “ Science and Tech Amid the Pandemic” is scheduled on November 5.

Also part of the RSTW celebration is the final round of the Regional Invention Contest and Expo or 2021 RICE which recognizes the indispensability of Filipino inventors, innovators, and researchers for their contribution to economic development through a form of friendly competition.

RICE is done every two years which searches for the next roster of individuals to be included in the best and the brightest local trailblazers in the country who will compete in the national invention contest.

There will be three regional winners for each of the three categories. Participants may have the chance to win as much as P50,000 cash prize and avail of DOST-TAPI’s program of assistance.

The DOST XI official said the final date of submission was set last October 15 and the DOST is now at the screening phase.

“ For those who missed to submit their entries, we would still want to invite them to take part and check out the RICE entries. We also encourage them to get ready for the next cycle which will be in 2023," Sales said.  (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)