by Junierose D. Bundoc
Dubbed as “HIRANG” or Honing Innovations, Research, Agreements and Negotiations of the Government-Funded Technologies, the internship program trained 23 technology transfer officers from the seven DOST Research and Development Institutes (RDI).
The HIRANG Fellowship Program concluded on 30 October 2020
The technology transfer officers underwent an eight-month internship guided by four mentors to improve their knowledge and skills on intellectual property (IP) valuation, technology pitching, negotiation, and licensing.
The seven internship teams had accomplished valuation reports, term sheets, and Technology Licensing Agreements (TLA) for the upscale natural dyes, and naturally-blended, non-woven textiles of the Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI); potter’s wheel and integrated wrought iron-forming equipment of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC); and bamboo flattening machine and fruit wine barrel of the Forest Product Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI).
Also included are the high-protein bars and high-protein crackers of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI); DATOS and KOOHA of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI); drum-dried mango flakes and spray-dried roselle powder of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI); and new hyaluronic-based hydrogels of the Phillippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI).
“Everyone adapted to the new normal through meetings on video conferencing apps, negotiations on various digital platforms, and unlimited exchanges of electronic mails and chats,” said DOST-TAPI Director Edgar I. Garcia.
He also added that when people with the same goal work together, anything can be possible.
In a span of eight months, a total of 12 valuation reports, 12 signed term sheets, seven Memorandum of Agreement or Understanding were collectively delivered by the RDIs.
Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, acknowledged the dedication of all RDIs and their mentors.
"As I have mentioned during the HIRANG Launching, people under this fellowship are considered the chosen ones or ‘hinirang’ because of their hard work and efficiency in paving the way for RDI technologies to be commercialized," said Usec. Guevara.
A total of 10 adopters and 11 licensed technologies concluded the country’s first fellowship on technology transfer.
HIRANG, which ran from February to October 2020, is part of the Support to the Commercialization of 500 DOST-Generated Technologies and Strengthening the Country's Intellectual Property and Technology Portfolios implemented by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI).
Organized in partnership with the Balik Scientists and Visiting Experts of DOST-PCIEERD, it is primarily implemented to strengthen the IP and technology portfolios of DOST for higher commercialization success.
To know more about the DOST 500 Project, please attend the Week-Long Accomplishment and Culminating Activity of Special Projects on 26-30 July 2021 via the DOST-TAPI Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DOST.TAPI.
For more information, please visit www.techtrans.gov.ph and www.tapi.dost.gov.ph, contact 8837 2071 local 2157 and 2167, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
