A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed on May 3, 2012 by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippines and IBM to build and create a first in the Philippines which is its own Systems and Technology R&D Facility to help the country increase its economic growth.
The laboratory’s focus and purpose is to increase growth of the country which calls the unification of industries and government. The four key areas to concentrate is on talent and development, governance for anti-corruption, information for a knowledge based economy, and the country’s new bread and basket business process outsourcing. The four areas are the main concern of the facility. It’ll strive and contribute in the productivity of the Filipino people and also improve the quality and harness strategies technologies and expertise available to use.
IBM has already established numerous of the same facility in other countries. Its technical capability, expertise and know how in the field will help DOST in the research and its programs
“2012 marks IBM’s 75th year in the Philippines and this cooperation with the DOST furthers our commitment to, and trust in the region and its people,” said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager, Philippines. “The project is also a great example of an integrated, joint approach to research that combines IBM’s global expertise with the skills and knowledge of the Filipino people to accelerate their preparedness for the global marketplace.”
Based from the agreement, the project to be undertaken by the Philippine Systems and Technology R&D Lab should fall and collaborate with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) of the government’s Medium Term Development Plan. DOST and IBM will launch its initial project based on the following areas of concern and is subject to export and applicable laws.
- Project audit system and database;
- E-governance services including a dashboard view for government officials;
- Landslide predictive analytics;
- Weather prediction and Flood mapping;
- Crime prevention;
- Traffic management; and
- High-performance computing and business analytics.
