The Bangsamoro – Ministry of Science and Technology joined the over 100 participants from DOST regional and provincial offices for the 11th STARBOOKS Deployment Officers Assembly held at Green Leaf Hotel, General Santos City.

On April 20, 2023, DOST – Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) spearheaded the event to present the STARBOOKS updates and plans, accomplishments, and challenges encountered by the cluster.

Rocaya Edres, LPT, Chief Science Research Specialist, presented the accomplishments of MOST. She shared that 50 STARBOOKS were deployed in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and Marawi City in 2022 and another set of 50 for 2023.

“We have deployed a total of 50 STARBOOKS in 2022 and we target to deploy a total of 50 in 2023. For 2024, we proposed a total of 70 sets of STARBOOKS to deployed to disadvantaged or remote areas in the Bangsamoro region. It is to help our schools and communities access the vast array of science and technology information even without internet connectivity,” Edres said.

Two topics were also presented and discussed during the event. Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools and Data Visualization in Excel.

Furthermore, MOST received a certificate of recognition for its unwavering support and commitment to STARBOOKS through its deployment in different BARMM provinces.

Mansur Panalangin, ICT Officer and Kevin Andre Umipig, Science Research Specialist II, were also in the assembly. They were also the STARBOOKS deployment officers in the Bangsamoro region.

STARBOOKS stands for Science and Technology Academic and Research-based Openly-Operated Kiosk Station. A digital library (computer set, software, and kiosk) features books, magazines, journals, and scientific and research papers, even without internet connectivity.

Some photo credits: DOST-STARBOOKS Official Facebook Page, DOST-STII

#MOSTUpdates2023

[Information and Communication]