26 APRIL 2024, BRISBANE – In celebration of National Innovation Day, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega engaged in a roundtable discussion with Filipino scholars taking up postgraduate studies in Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The roundtable, which focused on enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) cooperation, was held on on 22 April 2024 in the QUT Kelvin Grove Campus and participated by QUT officials led by Executive Dean for Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice Professor Lori Lockyer and Associate Professor Vinesh Chandra of the QUT School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

The Ambassador underscored the importance of joint collaboration in fostering expertise in STEM under the Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership in order to help tackle and contribute solutions to evolving challenges in the region. “I believe the scientific minds of Australians, combined with the creativity of Filipinos can really make a good partnership”, Ambassador De La Vega stated.

The scholars shared updates on their research studies which included among others focus on education and education technology, the formation of Philippine STEM identity, cultivating leadership capital in STEM, mental health, digital literacy, financial literacy, and computer science.

The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) signed an International Cooperation Agreement with QUT in 2022 to boost STEM education through post-graduate scholarship offerings for Filipino teachers. The first batch of scholars are from the Philippine Science High School System System.

The Philippine Innovation Act of 2019 declares April 21 of every year as National Innovation Day. The 2024 celebration carries the theme “Unboxing the Filipinnovation Mindset” with the aim of increasing awareness on the innovation programs and activities of the public and private sectors; cultivating an innovative culture and mindset among Filipinos; and promoting “Filipinnovation” which is the whole-of-nation call and commitment to accelerating our progress through innovation. “Filipinnovation” is a vision of fostering a culture of innovation with the culture of entrepreneurship.

There are more than 73,000 Filipinos in Queensland and a Filipino student population of more than 6,500. Queensland hosts the third largest Filipino community across Australia. -- END