THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), in collaboration with the Davao Doctors College, Inc., Quipper, and the Department of Education successfully inked the Memorandum of Agreement on Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS (Starbooks) last Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Davao Doctors College, Inc.
Starbooks is one of the projects of the DOST-STII and it is the first digital science and technology library in the Philippines. It is a stand-alone source of information intended to reach people with limited or no access to information on science and technology resources.
With the unwavering commitment of advancing education of the DOST, Starbooks is made available to schools in the Philippines, especially public schools.
DOST-STII Director Richard Burgos said that building trust in the digital era is really about serving everybody, including the marginalized. He also said that Starbooks intends to make it as inclusive as possible so as not to leave anyone behind.
Burgos further stated that utilizing Starbooks requires both time and commitment.
"It does not just need your time, a lot of your time. But it needs a lot of commitment. Number one, to find out what's inside starbooks that may be good for you. Number two is to promote its use among your teachers and your students. Only then can we be assured that this marriage which we're going to sign in a while will succeed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Doctor Reynante A. Solitario, CESO VI, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd-Davao Region said that the DOST is really aiming at helping the schools improve the quality of teaching and learning, especially teachers.
“Our shared vision for education is to really empower our students, our educators, and our communities to align perfectly with the goals of Starbooks program,” he said.
“It's not just about a repository of information. It is a gateway to the wonders of science and technology, innovation, and all other components or areas. It offers a treasured room of resources that we inspire our students, enabling them to explore the fascinating realms of science and technology from their own classrooms,” he further stated.
Present during the MOA signing are the principals from partner schools including F.Bangoy National High School, Davao City National High School, Sta. Ana National High School, Talomo National High School, Davao City Special National High School, Catalunan Pequeno National High School, Jesus J. Soriano National High School, Mabini National High School, Maa National High School, and Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School.
The principal of Jesus and Mary Thevenet School Foundation, Inc. is also present which the DDCI declared partnership with.
Eleven units of Starbooks were deployed after the MOA signing in which one unit was delegated per partner school.