Members of the Filipino community joined in the second episode of Balik Scientist Program (BSP) which was held yesterday virtually with the participation of almost 2,000 individuals living overseas and in the Philippines.
The Philippine Embassy earlier invited the Filipino community to join in this webinar which was aired at Balik Scientist Facebook Page.
Jorelly Villa, an overseas Filipino in Qatar who watched the BSP Talk said the programme is an eye-opener especially to the Filipino community not only in the country but around the world that the Philippine government has this kind of initiative.
“We all know that living overseas is not for long, and the assurance of coming back to my home country provided that I will have a secured job is a guarantee that I can always provide for my family,” she explained.
Meanwhile, for Kim Labad, she said that the programme is a great strategy of the Science and Technology Department. “It provided simple and concrete steps on how an overseas-based Filipino scientist and the public can know more about this programme and how to apply,” she said.
Moreover, she added: “The webinar is a good avenue to target Filipinos living and working abroad that they also have an option to serve and contribute to the Philippine research and development on science and technology by availing this programme. Also, they don’t have to worry about being homesick because an opportunity is waiting for them back home.”
The second edition is themed “BSP Talks Episode 2: Match Tayo” (BSP Talks Episode 2: We’re a match). It tackles how a returning scientist can look for a Host Institution. The programme featured three stories of returning scientists. The stories are entitled “Finally found my host,” followed by “Starting over again with my Alma Mater,” and “Must be match.”
It also highlighted partner host institutions of the programme including the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute, and Caraga State University. The webinar was organised by DOST-BSP and Pinoy Iskolars sa KOREA (PIKO).
BSP is part of the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology programme that encourages Filipino scientists, technologists, and experts to return to the Philippines and share their expertise in order to promote scientific, agro-industrial, and economic development, including the development of human capital in science, technology and innovation.
The programme is aimed to reverse the effect of the brain drain; strengthen science an technology capabilities; accelerate flow of technologies; and promote knowledge sharing.
