Emerging technologies in Western Visayas

THE WESTERN Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (WVCIEERD) recently organized the first Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (IEET) Research Conference.

It gathered students and faculty researchers, inventors, and innovators in the field of industry, energy and emerging technology from the various institutions in Western Visayas.

The conference that was graced by distinguished guests and speakers led by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson, DOST-6 Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga, PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director Raul C. Sabularce, WVCIEERD Executive Director Carmelo V. Ambut, and USAID-STRIDE Senior Consultant Napoleon K. Juanillo, together with R.U. Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC) President Ramon Uy Sr. who is among the representatives of the private sector was held in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

It focused on three Research and Development (R&D) Clusters – Food Safety and Security, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and Electronics, ICT and Emerging Technology.

Carrying the theme “Convergence of Researches in Food, Energy and ICT for Smart and Sustainable Communities,” the activity aimed to present opportunities to strengthen R&D capabilities, dissemination, utilization and collaborations among the members of the consortium.

According to WVCIEERD Chairperson and Central Philippines State University (CPSU) President Dr. Aladino C. Moraca, the activity had three major parts, consisting of a plenary session that tackled the latest technology trends in the fields of Food Safety and Security, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Electronics, ICT and Emerging Technology.

The second part is the series of competitions on oral and poster research presentations for faculty and student researchers.

While the third, which was composed of three training sessions for faculty researchers, were conducted simultaneously on the second day.

Other activities included product pitching from the invited sponsors and identification of research collaborations among the consortium’s member-institutions.

Led by DOST-6, in partnership with the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, the conference was a result of the collaboration of the 21 member-institutions of WVCIEERD.

During the opening ceremonies, Moraca highlighted the importance of this event to disseminate the latest technology trends and accomplishments which will benefit the Filipinos, particularly those in Region 6.

Among the notable of which include the development and production of the “first-ever” diesel engine in the country that became possible after the DOST’s Metal Industry Research and Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology partnered with Supercast Foundry and Machinery Corporation, in collaboration with the Bacolod City-based RUFMSC.

The “first” locally-made diesel engine is a 12-horsepower single-cylinder type – strong and reliable enough to be used on different agricultural machinery.

Initially, the locally-produced diesel engine was mounted on the RU Shredder which was manufactured by RUFMSC in order to test and evaluate the motor’s capacity, endurance, and power output.

Moraca says the engine is the output of the Filipino ingenuity which can directly benefit the Filipino farmers.

Moraca also announced that the CPSU, together with other state universities and colleges in Region-6, are willing to contribute their respective resources to fine-tune the locally-made diesel engine. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)