The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) continues to capacitate its regional partners and technical research divisions on promoting research and development (R&D) outputs and projects through a training on creating impactful science, technology, and innovation (STI) exhibits. The three-day training-workshop was held at B Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila from March 19 to 21, 2025.
The training, “Cultivating Curiosities: Creating an Impactful S&T Exhibit,” involved the science communication and technology transfer cluster coordinators from the 15 regional consortia. Moreover, DOST-PCAARRD staff members involved in permanent and event-based technology promotion activities also participated.
Led by the Applied Communication Division (ACD), the training-workshop provided participants a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art and science behind staging exhibitions. The training also amplified the skills and knowledge of participants in creating effective and immersive experiences in promoting agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) research results, such as products, technologies, and innovation.
In her opening message, DOST-PCAARRD ACD Director Marita A. Carlos highlighted that science exhibition is our unique way of communicating, promoting, and advocating R&D results.
With his professional background in exhibition design and management, Director Norman D. Bagulbagul served as the resource speaker of the training. He is the Chief of the Exhibition Design Division of the Center for International Trade Missions and Expositions (CITEM). His expertise combines the traditional and digital experiences in designing exhibitions.
The training was divided into four parts– the foundations of exhibit design; application and integration of emerging technologies on exhibitions; mentoring sessions; and presentation of outputs.
Participants were grouped according to their involvement in various exhibit types: community-based exhibits, national events, international trade shows, commodity-based, and permanent exhibits.
As a follow-through of the training-workshop on managing S&T exhibits held last 2024, a total of 12 STI exhibit design proposals were developed and presented including upcoming exhibits for 2025 such as the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW); National Youth Science, Technology, and Innovation Festival (NYSTIF); Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE); AgriLINK; Luzon and Visayas Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW); and FIESTA.
Additionally, designs for permanent exhibits such as the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC) S&T Bazaar, Technology to People media conference, and Libreng Kaalaman at Gabay sa Agrikultura, Akwatika, at Likas na Yaman (LINANG) were also presented.
Through the years, the Council has actively led and participated in a series of exhibitions while exploring innovative strategies to continuously elevate its stakeholders’ experience. The training is the first of this year’s series of non-degree training programs lined up by ACD of DOST-PCAARRD.