TAGUIG CITY -- Despite obstacles brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continues to empower students in the elementary, high school and college levels with the Invent School Program or ISP. 

Because of the pandemic, DOST-TAPI explored online platforms and tailor-fitted its training to deliver the same quality of innovation-inspiring activities and discussions going beyond the traditional face-to-face workshops and seminars.

ISP aims to stimulate students’ interest in creativity and inventiveness and create awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and protection, leading to the creation of technologies that shall become their enterprises that serve as a starting ground for future Filipino inventors. Like many other programs implemented by the department, ISP has been calibrated to cope with the demands of the pandemic without sacrificing the caliber of its services.

In the Bicol Region, ISP has been conducted since 2011 in Legazpi City; Virac, Catanduanes; Guinobatan, Albay; and Nabua, Camarines Sur.

Continuing with its digital shift in 2021 along with new and improved content and delivery, TAPI—along with DOST-V—encourages academic institutions to avail of the program. Submission of proposals is until 15 July 2021. Visit techtrans.gov.ph or tapi.dost.gov.ph for more details and information, or check out TAPI’s Facebook pages @i-INVENTPH or @DOST.TAPI. (EngrDAPeñaJr / MFLMiranda, DOST-V; DOST-TAPI)