Saturday, September 22, 2007 IT firm, DOST sign pact for innovation program
IBM Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have strengthened their partnership to help the country become globally competitive.
“We are glad to collaborate with IBM Philippines and look forward to supporting more innovation-led initiatives in the future,” said Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro.
The partnership, signed during the recent National Innovation Conference, aims to introduce the various programs and efforts by the government and business sectors in the stimulation and promotion of innovation which could serve as important inputs in the formulation of a national innovation system.
It also seeks to identify recommendations and resolutions for policy consideration of government for the formulation of a national innovation strategy.
James Velasquez, IBM Philippines president and general manager, said innovation is influenced by several factors. Among these are the evolution of information technology (IT), and the emergence of new capabilities.
“Innovation has always been at the forefront of what makes IBM unique. This is one of our core values and it will continue to expand beyond the basic technology, into the increasingly important business transformations enabled by IT,” Velasquez said.
“In the face of the changing world economic landscape, we see the need to innovate in the face of the emerging globally integrated enterprise. The timing is perfect as the country is increasingly being recognized by the global market as a pool for highly-competent talents in the BPO (business process outsourcing) and services sectors,” he added.
Velasquez said innovation is the “key” for the country to become “a globally integrated economy.” (PR)
