Published at The Department of Science and Technology Webiste
by: Ella Vanesa L. Lopez
Amidst the closing down of several foundry shops in the country, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) drives for the revival of the metalcasting industry.
The DOST – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), in collaboration with the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and the DOST Regional Offices, is currently implementing a project entitled “Establishment of Metals and Engineering Innovation Center (MEIC) in CAR, Regions I, II, III, and X.” The MEIC project aims to strengthen the research and development outputs in the countryside by procuring industry-grade types of machinery and increasing the pool of experts in the field of metals and engineering through trainings, seminars, and workshops.
In its efforts to further capacitate the faculties and personnel of the MEIC host universities, the DOST-MIRDC partnered with private companies to provide them with an Industry Immersion Program. With the help of this program, faculty members will become more aware of the demands of the industry, have a deeper understanding of those demands, and be better able to apply what they learn to their work as instructors, researchers, and future consultants.
The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), Sumacab Campus, is located in Cabanatuan City and serves as the host institution for the MEIC in Region III. The NEUST-MEIC, whose focus is on metal casting, underwent a two-week immersion program on November 7–18, 2022. Three renowned foundries in Valenzuela—Acetech Metal Industries Corporation, Maysan Casting Corporation, and Ichivan Metal Casting—as well as Metals Engineering Resources Corporation (METERCOR), a well-known foundry in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, accommodated the NEUST participants.
The foundries introduced their unique techniques and best practices to the NEUST participants. Tried and tested for so many years by these foundry men, the participants were motivated to embrace, alter, and improve these learnings to fit into the current practices of the NEUST-MEIC. Other skills were also developed in the participants, such as core making, patternmaking, molding, and melting.
The DOST-MIRDC is optimistic that this program will not only benefit the participants and their university but also the metalcasting industry in Region III by leveraging the knowledge and skills of our NEUST-MEIC researchers and consultants.
