The Department of Science and Technology â€" National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) headed by Jose B. Patalinjug III, Regional Director with the presence of Asec. Teodoro M. Gatchalian signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TESDA Women's Center (TWC) represented by Conrado G. Bares, TESDA-NCR Regional Director to strengthen cooperation on science and technology information and activities. It was followed by the STARBOOKS Ceremonial Turn-over to TWC. The said event took place at the DOST-NCR Conference Room, DOST-NCR Building, DOST Compound General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City on the 9th of November.

STARBOOKS is short term for Science & Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station also known as “Library in a Box” which is intended to provide information access portals in key areas in the Philippines. This powerful kiosk station contains hundreds and thousands of digitized science and technology resources which is presented in various formats like text, video and/or audio which is placed in specially designed “pods” set in a user friendly interface.

DOST Regional Director Patalinjug said during the opening of the ceremony that STARBOOKS is for all and any institution that is interested to avail the library kiosk is welcome. He added that this project aims to promote Science and Technology to everyone and attract students to opt for Science & Technology courses/programs in the tertiary level and in TVET.

The STARBOOKS project also encourages a culture of invention and innovation and inspires aptitude towards entrepreneurship and research for socio-economic development and stretch the beneficiaries of the said technology all over the Philippines most specially to those who are living in the geographically isolated places.

During the ceremony, Asec. Teodoro Gatchalian added that there should be a collaboration between TWC and DOST in the conduct of research and development. He emphasized that research specially in the field of science and technology is highly encouraged in all institutions and they are more than willing to help to further the quality and output of technology research in the Philippines.

The said kiosk shall be placed in the TWC Learning Resource Center and is expected to be used by the TWC community most specially the trainers and trainees that will serve as a highly preferred reference to promote awareness and knowledge about Science and Technology and improve the quality of education/ training in TESDA Women's Center.

The event was witnessed by Engr. Arman P. Bionat, ARD-TOD, DOST-NCR, Michael Lark Latoja Jr., DOST-NCR, Computer Programmer II, Mylene Somera, TWC, Supervising TESD, Lucia P. Tabu, TWC, Senior TESD Specialist, Jean Maurice Constantino, TWC, Librarian and Edwin Mendoza, TWC, Trainer / IT Technical Support.