FAILURES in the field of research and development (R&D) are valuable, according to a top official from the science community.
Dr. Napoleon Juanillo, United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) - Science Technology Research Innovation for Development (STRIDE) program senior consultant, spoke during the press conference of the Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (IEET) Research Conference on the probability of failure and the risk of not knowing all of those things should be factored in to appreciate the whole R&D method.
“The process of failing, the process of experimenting, the process of not knowing, the process of questioning that can take quite a while should be part and parcel of the whole research process,” Juanillo said, citing that failure is considered as a return on investment.
“It doesn’t mean then that if it fails once, there’s no return on investment. Failure is in itself is a return on investment,” Juanillo said.
He also encouraged reporters to write on stories delving on the experiences of researchers as this helps in understanding the scientific process.
Meanwhile, Dr. Raul Sabularse, Deputy Executive Director of Department of Science and Technology (S&T) - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), said investing in S&T and R&D contributes to the future of the country’s economy.
“Somehow in other countries, it has been proven that S&T is a driver for economic development and so we believe that S&T will play a big role in the Philippine development,” Sabularse emphasized.
The Research Con held in Talisay City of this province was organized by the Western Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (WVCIEERD) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST VI).
Bannered with the theme, “Convergence of Researchers in Food, Energy, and ICT for Smart and Sustainable Communities,” the event gathered State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), stakeholders, and relevant organizations attuned to addressing the R&D needs of the region. (PR)