by pna

MANILA, Nov. 18 — The Department of Science and Technology kicked off the National Inventors' Week, an annual event that honors the role of Filipino inventors in local economy.

"Filipino inventors are (nation's) catalyst for development," Dr. Carlos Tomboc, officer-in-charge of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) said.

With a theme, "Making Inventions Work for You", the 2008 National Inventors' Week (NIV) also is an annual search for the most outstanding inventions, utility models, industrial designs, as well as creative researches by professional and amateur inventors.

Other activities lined up for the week-long NIW are: the holding of an inventors' fair and exhibit; inventors' congress; inventors-industry consultations and products presentation.

The spotlight will then again focus on the ingenuity and innovativeness of the Filipinos.
The NIW, which runs Nov. 17-21, 2008, will feature the National Inventors' Contest (NIC).
The event aims to spark ingenuity of Filipinos in coming up with innovations, as well as encourage local inventors to secure patents of their new products.

In addition to the regular cash prizes, plaques and gold medals will be given to the winners of the NIC and private partner, Chemrez Technologies Inc. cor its search for Chemrez Green Chemistry Awards, which will all be awarded on Friday, when the celebrations wound up. (PNA)