National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines)

National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines)
Name	National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines)
Abbreviation	NAST Philippines
Formation	1978
Headquarters	Quezon City, Philippines
Leader title	President
Parent organization	Department of Science and Technology (Philippines)

National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines) The National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines) serves as the Philippines' highest recognition body for achievement in scientific and technological fields, functioning as an advisory and honorific institution. It operates within the framework of the Department of Science and Technology, engaging with universities, research institutes, and international organizations to promote science and technology policies and excellence.

History

The Academy was established in 1978 during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos and was shaped by interactions with agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (Philippines), the National Research Council of the Philippines, and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development. Early developments involved collaborations with universities like the University of the Philippines Diliman, the Ateneo de Manila University, and the De La Salle University and research centers including the International Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Coconut Authority. Influential scientists connected with the Academy have included figures associated with the Philippine Science High School System, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, and the University of Santo Tomas. The Academy’s history reflects policy dialogues involving the Office of the President of the Philippines, the National Economic and Development Authority, and legislative frameworks influenced by lawmakers from the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

Organization and Governance

Governance of the Academy entails a leadership structure interacting with entities such as the Department of Budget and Management (Philippines), the Civil Service Commission (Philippines), and the Commission on Audit (Philippines). The Academy’s internal committees coordinate with professional organizations including the Philippine Medical Association, the Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Geological Society of the Philippines. Administrative offices liaise with research libraries like the National Library of the Philippines and archival institutions such as the Presidential Communications Office. The Academy’s policy advice has been presented to bodies like the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization through formal governance mechanisms.

Membership and Fellowship

Membership categories of the Academy involve Fellows elected from institutions such as the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Mindanao State University, and the Silliman University. Fellows have included scientists affiliated with laboratories like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine as well as professionals from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and the Oceanography Institute. Fellowship election processes interact with academe representatives from Ateneo de Davao University, specialists from the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and awardees connected to the National Scientist of the Philippines roster. Internationally connected members maintain ties with organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences (United States), the Royal Society (United Kingdom), the Academia Sinica, and the Indian National Science Academy.

Functions and Programs

The Academy conducts advisory functions and technical assessments relevant to institutions like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and the Philippine Statistics Authority. Programmatic initiatives include science policy fora with the Asian Development Bank, capacity-building workshops with the World Health Organization, and research symposia involving the International Rice Research Institute, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, and the Department of Agriculture (Philippines). The Academy issues consensus statements on topics affecting agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines), the Department of Energy (Philippines), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Educational outreach involves partnerships with the Philippine Science High School System, the Science Education Institute, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for public engagement programs.

Awards and Recognitions

The Academy administers honors that recognize lifetime achievement and scientific contributions, aligning with distinctions such as the National Scientist of the Philippines, the Gawad SURI, and awards presented by institutions like the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering and the Philippine National Academy of Science and Technology. Award ceremonies often involve dignitaries from the Malacañang Palace, representatives from the Department of Education (Philippines), and laureates drawn from universities including the University of the Philippines Manila, the Cebu Institute of Technology, and the Central Mindanao University. Recognition programs collaborate with professional awarders such as the Philippine Medical Association and international prize bodies like the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The Academy engages in collaborations with multilateral actors such as the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank and with regional organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization. Bilateral and institutional partnerships include the National Science Foundation (United States), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and the British Council. Local collaborations extend to research institutes such as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, and the Philippine Genome Center, and with educational institutions like the University of the Philippines Cebu, the Far Eastern University, and the University of the Philippines Mindanao.

Category:Scientific organizations based in the Philippines