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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GenSan) inaugurated today, 1st March 2023, a Php5-million research facility dubbed the Intelligent Systems Laboratory (ISL).
DOST said in a statement the establishment of the research hub will promote and improve research activities in the university’s College of Engineering, encourage collaboration among faculty and students at the university and higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the region, and facilitate research activities in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.
Project leader Dr. Cristina P. Dadula explained the research laboratory’s role in nation building.
“The Intelligent Systems Laboratory (ISL) provides an opportunity for students and faculty to develop relevant solutions for real-world problems using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and other related fields. This project is our first engagement with PCIEERD. We are looking forward to more projects to sustain our laboratory and shall continue our R&D efforts to help the industries and our local communities,” Dr. Dadula said.
PCIEERD is DOST’s Innovation Council, the Philippine Council on Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development headed by Executive Director Dr. Enrico “Eric” C. Paringit.
ISL is equipped state-of-the-art research equipment, including simulation software, programmable logic controllers, 3D printers, and robotic systems. The laboratory’s facilities will enable students and faculty to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of intelligent systems and artificial intelligence (AI) and prepare students to be industry ready.
The R&D (research & development) projects lined up for this research hub will focus on information and communications technology systems, green construction, smart agriculture, and smart manufacturing.
True to its objectives to involve faculty and students, three of the 10 proposals from faculty members that were submitted were approved for funding. While one proposal submitted by their students for the Young Innovators Program (YIP) was included in the 16 short-listed proposals.
Here is the list of approved proposals for funding:
- Assessment and Profiling of Covid-19 Pandemic-Induced Wastes in General Santos City: Basis for the Development of Appropriate Solid Waste Management Technologies for the City aims to generate a comprehensive data on composition and classification of wastes generated in General Santos City to use in planning and implementing the relevant waste management activities in the city to protect the public and marine resources in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS).
- Characterization of Non-metallic Mineral Deposit Found in General Santos City and Sarangani Province aims to characterize and determine the exact type of the unknown non-metallic mineral that is found in General Santos City and the municipalities of Sarangani Province.
- HEIRIT: Establishment of ICEBOX: DOST supported TBI for Smart Systems Innovations aims to establish the first university-based Technology Business Incubator (TBI) for smart systems innovations in MSU-Gensan.
In addition, Dr. Usman D. Aragasi, MSU-GenSan acting chancellor, expressed his gratitude to the DOST-PCIEERD for always supporting the university, stating that this funding will help elevate the university’s research capabilities and contribute to the development of the province’s S&T and technopreneurship sector.
“The ISL is actually one of the support facilities of the TBI, and I want to thank you for supporting our application for the regional TBI, said Dr. Aragasi.
PCIEERD’s Paringit assured the Council’s commitment in helping educational institutions.
“The Council remains committed to expanding our reach to universities and colleges and establish more laboratories and facilities in the regions to develop and upskill the Philippines’ human resource in STEM (science, technology, English and mathematics),” Paringit emphasized.
The inauguration of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory marks a significant milestone in the university’s efforts to advance research and development in the field of engineering and technology. With the laboratory’s state-of-the-art facilities and advanced research equipment, MSU-GSC is expected to play a significant role in shaping the country’s science and technology (S&T) sector.
The MSU-GSC Intelligent Systems Laboratory was put up through the Institution Development Program (IDP) of DOST-PCIEERD, which aims to strengthen the capability of institutions to undertake research in S&T fields included in PCIEERD priority areas. (✓)
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News Release