DOST accords Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award to VSU scientist

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), accorded to Prof. Tessie C. Nuñez, scientist of VSU-based National Coconut Research Center-Visayas (NCRC-V), the 2014 Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award known as Gregorio Y. Zara Medal “In recognition of her successful commercialization of the soft-endospermed coconut, commonly known as makapuno, which is being utilized in the export of sweetened dessert and popularly used as ice cream flavoring, cake topping, pastry filling, and as a major ingredient in the production of food wrap being exported to the United States. For her outstanding technological research in developing self-pollinating and early-bearing makapuno hybrids using local dwarf coconut as maternal parents and UPLB (TMAC) makapuno as pollen parent ensuring high makapuno yield. The technology brought tangible benefits to many adopters and local growers, providing significant income generation and increased plantations to the limited makapuno populations in the country.”

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and the chairman of the Board of Judges, National Scientist Edgar Garcia, presented the award to Prof. Nuñez during the opening program of the National Science and Technology Week on July 24, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

The Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award recognizes the efforts of technology generators and developers whose technologies have been commercialized. The award was named after the late National Scientist Gregorio Y. Zara, renowned Filipino engineer and inventor. Prof. Nuñez and the other three Filipino scientists and researchers from the University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines Dilliman, and University of the Philippines Los Baños were awarded for their outstanding achievements in research and development (R&D) and technology commercialization. The awardees each received plaques, medals, and a cash prize of PhP150,000.

This year’s NSTW celebration was anchored on the theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Meeting Global Challenges”. The occasion showcased the current trends, innovations, interventions, and inventions of Filipino scientists, engineers, technologists, and various works by the entire scientific community, such as technologies and programs geared towards strengthening the manufacturing industries, small and medium enterprises, human resources capabilities, e-governance, and disaster preparedness, among others.

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