Inauguration of Optoelectronics Science Laboratory a milestone event for Mindanao State University for mirroring MSU’s strong commitment to achieving excellence in instruction, research, and extension.
— MSU System President Basari D. Mapupuno
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By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, Marawi City, 25th February 2023 (SDN) — Students, researchers and innovators here in this premiere academic institution — and Mindanao-wide as well — have something to tickle their mind and get busy with — the new Optoelectronics Science Laboratory (OSL).
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi inaugurated the OSL on Friday. It is housed at the university’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics (CNSM) building.
DOST’s Innovation Council, the Philippine Council on Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and MSU Marawi inaugurated and formally opened for business the hi-tech laboratory, which is expected to drive faster and further the latter’s foray into research and development (R&D). Unquestionably, it is a boon — the OSL — in the digital era when new innovations fueled by new technologies emerge like in a blink of an eye. Whew!
For the inaugural event, PCIEERD’s technology-inclined head, Executive Director Dr. Enrico “Eric” C. Paringit and his team, flew in from Manila, showing the DOST’s unwavering and undiminished support for state universities and colleges (SUCs) looking to stay relevant in this fast-paced era. And in the process, help Filipinos get on their lives with an easier gait and guide society with new solutions for problems that Filipinos face every day.
Paringit, MSU System President Basari D. Mapupuno led the inauguration attended by some officials of MSU-CNSM, faculty, and students,
MSU System President Basari D. Mapupuno and PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico ‘Eric’ C. Paringit. (Photo: SDN — SciTech and Digital News)
“This is a momentous event for the Mindanao State University as it reflects our steadfast commitment to achieving excellence in instruction, research, and extension,” Mapupuno noted. He hastened to add that MSU Marawi is grateful for the support of PCIEERD “in our pursuit of cutting-edge research and technological advancement.”
Related story: DOST, MSU Inaugurate Php10-Mln Optoelectronics Science Lab
Paringit assured PCIEERD’s continued commitment of support to facilities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) of which it is aimed at enabling the region’s researchers, particularly the students to help them realize their potential.
“The science our innovators and researchers generate should ultimately redound to our people and create ripples for rebuilding and empowering communities such as Southern Mindanao,” the PCIEERD chief said.
So, what are SUCs waiting for. DOST had already issued recently a call for R&D project proposals funding for the year 2025! Submission is from 1st of May to 31 this year.
Funding for the establishment of the OSL came from PCIEERD — over Php8 million, with MSU Marawi providing for a counterpart fund, bringing the total of the project cost to Php10.07 million. OSL’s prime equipment is called ULVAC VTR-151M/SRF (Radio Frequency Sputtering Equipment). Its uses cover filming deposition of various materials, including copper, palladium, and gold, as well as coatings for stronger materials, anti-wear, anti-rush, and heat resistance. Among the optoelectronics devices the OSL equipment will produce are solar cells, semiconductors, LEDs, diode lasers, and transistors.
According to allaboutcircuits.com, “(O)ptoelectronics is a specific discipline of electronics that focuses on light-emitting or light-detecting devices. Light-emitting devices use voltage and current to produce electromagnetic radiation (i.e., light). Such light-emitting devices are commonly used for purposes of illumination or as indicator lights.
Solidum urged researchers and innovators of the university, which has 11 campuses in Mindanao, to assist the DOST actively and continuously as it pursues science, technology, and innovation (STI) in higher education institutions (HEIs) and SUCs.
“We are extremely pleased that we can increase the workforce of the country through initiatives like this, which can lead to local and international collaborations as well as boost interest in research, product development, and product outputs because of the facility’s presence,” the Philippine science chief, referring to the OSL, emphasized in a statement provided to journalists during the event here at MSU Marawi.
To date, including the MSU Marawi OSL, PCIEERD’s funding for laboratory facilities has now established 45 facilities through its IDP projects in the country in a period of eight years. And the number is increasing.
Optoelectronics lab a significant milestone
Through its Institutional Development Program (IDP), PCIEERD funded the IDP Project: Establishment of MSU-Marawi Optoelectronics Science Laboratory with Dr. Florencio D. Recoleto, Jr. as project leader. He is the director of MSU-Sindangan Extension. He laid down the OSL’s role in MSU’s Physics Programs.’
“The facility is also accessible to our PhD residents, who can use the facility to the fullest extent possible and leverage the quality of education in the region when comes to Nanoscience,” said Recoleto.
Another science-focused government agency, the Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) headed by Director Dr. Josette Biyo has been providing scholarships for thousands of Filipino students every year. Here at MSU-Marawi, enrollment has increased because SEI’s scholarship grants. Thus, the establishment of a research laboratory had become necessary for the 10 Doctors of Philosophy (PhDs) of the university so they can the OSL to fully realize their potential.
The DOST believes that with enough space and facilities for the holders of PhD, the research activities on R&D will advance the Philippines development agenda. In particular, the OSL, a Nanoscience Laboratory, will push the Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Physics (MP) Programs of the university.
Mapupuno cited optoelectronics as “a vital field that has revolutionized various industries including automotive and telecommunication. The establishment of this laboratory is a significant milestone for MSU, as it will serve as a research facility that will cater not only to the academic and industrial institutions in the BARMM region and nearby areas, but also to the allied sciences in MSU, particularly in the College of Engineering and Physics Department.”
The MSU System head further mentioned the OSL project’s general objective, which is to promote R&D in the field of optoelectronics and contribute to the country’s science and technology (S&T). He said this aligns with the university’s vision of transforming into Center of Excellence in Instruction, Research, and Extension.” (✓)