Cotabato City, BARMM — The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Science and Technology officially kicked off the Bangsamoro Science and Technology Week (BSTW) on September 5-7, 2023. The event took place at Ebrahim Hall, EM Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Sinsuat Avenue, in this city.
This year’s theme was “Harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation: Catalyzing the BARMM Halal Industry,” which focused on leveraging advancements in science, technology, and innovation to support and accelerate the growth of the Halal industry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The three-day event highlighted and showcased MOST programs, initiatives, support, achievements, and success stories. It promoted science and technology endeavors to support the region’s economic growth.
In the opening program, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim gave an inspirational message emphasizing the significance of science, technology, and innovation.
“This is a significant stake to feature all the contributions of science, technology, and innovation to the development of the Bangsamoro region. It is important that we continue to build, strengthen, and innovate all our efforts anchor to S & T to alleviate poverty and speed up progress, peace, and sustainable development,” CM Ebrahim said.
By harnessing the region’s halal industry, a collaborative effort took place during the 1st-day event. MOST inked with stakeholders to increase support and initiatives towards a more vital halal industry in the Bangsamoro region.
The Muslim Mindanao Halal Certifying Body Incorporated (MMHCBI) and Bangsamoro researchers inked with MOST investing partnerships towards an inclusive initiative to strengthen the region’s Halal industry.
Minister Engr. Aida Silongan, MAPDS, emphasized in her message the collaboration and commitment to harnessing the potential of science, technology, and innovation to catalyze the growth and sustainability of the Halal industry in our region.
“Our collaboration will unlock avenues to enhance the efficiency, safety, and innovation within the Halal industry.” Minister Silongan emphasized.
Meanwhile, Atty. Basari MApupuno, Mindanao State University – System President, also supported the collaboration between MOST and MSU researchers.
“We are committed to prioritizing research and embedding sustainability over the years for contributing to the peace and progress in the Bangsamoro region,” Atty. Mapupuno said.
Mariam Daud, MMHCBI Executive Director, also gave a message about partnerships between MOST.
“Our collaboration intensifies the power of unity and underscores unwavering commitment to elevate the Halal industry standards and credibility of Mindanao regions,” Dir. Daud said.
MOST also facilitated the awarding of funding support to BARMM researchers. Four research projects were recognized and awarded during the event.
Through an audio-visual presentation, the ministry also presented the programs, services, accomplishments, and success stories supporting the beneficiaries and stakeholders.
The morning activity concluded with the launching of the first edition of the ministry’s S & T Magazine, the “Bangsamoro TechTalk,” which serves as a platform for conveying the various contributions of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s programs, projects, services, advocacies, and notable achievements, all contributing significantly to the all-encompassing development of the Bangsamoro region.
Halal TechTalks and Research and Innovation TechTalks were presented and discussed in the first day’s afternoon and day two events. The technology talks focused on discussing Halal Concepts and Principles, Halal Direction in BARMM, Halal Certification., Halal Testing through BSHTL, Halal Thayyiban: Securing Quality through Food Safety, Halal Verification, Presentation of DOST Halal Training Modules, Advance S & T Topics, Research and Development Topics, and Navigating the Future of Embedded Systems and Internet of Things (IoT) Integration. The activity also facilitated an open forum asking more about the topics mentioned above.
On the third day of the event, the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE) – fourth batch, BASE-Merit – second batch, and Mujahideen Assistance for Science Education (MASE) – third batch official grantees took their oath and were awarded cash grants.
Also, MOST newly hired and promoted employees took their oath to moral governance.
The culminating activity also held another signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on STARBOOKS and Special Development Fund.
In the closing program, Bangsamoro Director-General Engr. Abdulrakman Asim motivated educators to encourage their students to take highly scientific and technical courses. It is for them to be supported with the MOST BASE-Merit Scholarship Program and produce more Bangsamoro scientists in the future.
The Bangsamoro S & T Week 2023 concluded with enthusiasm and joy from regional sectoral participants. The event highlighted the significant contributions of science and technology and promoted the region’s S & T programs and advocacy.
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