About NAST

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines is the symbol of the nation's commitment to science. The proposal for its creation originated from the University of the Philippines. Among the notable members of this small group were Dr. Joventino D. Soriano, a cytogeneticist; Dr. Gregorio T. Velasquez, a phycologist; his wife, Dr. Carmen C. Velasquez, a parasitologist; Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez, a marine biologist; Dr. Edito G. Garcia, a public health specialist. After a series of impromptu meetings held at the UP Institute of Small-Scale Industries, the task of preparing a formal proposal for a science academy was assigned to Dr. Soriano. In May, 1976, the proposal was submitted to Dr. Melecio S. Magno, who had been appointed Chairman of the NSDB with Cabinet rank. Chairman Magno fully endorsed the plan for a government-funded academy of science. It was heartily endorsed by the National Science Development Board (the predecessor agency of the Department of Science and Technology) to the President of the Philippines, On 06 October 1976, The National Academy of Science was created by Presidential Decree 1003. A subsequesnt amendment established instead the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines and expanded the base of its membership. Thus, P.D. 1003-A signed on 17 December 1976, is the enabling legislation for the present NAST.

The science community then submitted nominations of the most eminent among them to be members of the Academy. The President of the Philippines named ten scientist from a wide range of disciples to be the first Academicians in 1978. Henceforth, nominations have continued to come from the scientific community but their election as Academicians is the prerogative of the members of the Academy alone, following thier strict rules of reciew and selection. Every Member is distinguished, known ntionally and internationally in his or her own right. Collectively, the Academy represents the best of what this country has produced in science and Technology.

The Annual Scientific Meeting started in 1978 and has since earned the distinction as the most prestigious Philippine scientific conference. The NAST Transactions, composed of papers presented in the ASM, is the annual journal of the academy. NAST also publishes books and monographs based on the studies of its members and ither rnowed scientists.

In 1982, through Executive Order 818, the Academy was also formally charged with the function of advisory body to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country.

Executive Order (EO) No. 818, s. 1982, mandated NAST to act as the advisory body of the President of the Philippines and to the Cabinet in matters concerning science and technology in the Philippines. Furthermore, the EO empowered the Academy to engage in projects or programs designed to recognize outstanding achievements in science to promote scientific productivity.

NAST PHL has five functions:

RECOGNITION

The Academy recognizes and provides incentives to Filipino scientists for outstanding achievements in scientific research and development. NAST PHL, through its Recognition function, has contributed significantly to promoting and fostering excellence in science and technology research in the country.

National Scientist Rank And Title

The conferment of the Order of National Scientist by the President of the Republic of the Philippines is the highest honor given to a Filipino man or woman of science. Nominees should receive 60 percent of the total votes of the full membership of the Academy before being recommended to the President of the country for the honor. The award was created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1003-A on December 16, 1976. Since 1978, 43 Filipinos, 11 of whom are living, have been conferred as National Scientist.

Membership to the Academy

Academicians and Corresponding Members

Membership to the Academy is by peer recognition and carries with it the title of “Academician”. Elected as Academicians are resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to science and technology and have advanced its cause in the Philippines.

Corresponding membership, on the other hand, is conferred on nonresident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science and technology and must have continuing connections and contributions to Philippine science. They should regularly come to the Philippines to practice their field of expertise. Filipino citizenship and residency are waived as long as the three qualifications are met.

Honorary Membership
To recognize exceptional outstanding contributions to science and technology, the Academy established the Honorary Membership which may be conferred on recipients of internationally recognized prestigious scientific awards such as the Nobel Prize, the Food Prize, and the like, whose research has contributed to the development of the Philippines and who come to the country to deliver a lecture for the Academy.
ADVISORY
In any nation, the science academy plays an important role as an adviser to the government and the science community. It is the body that the governemnt turns to for disinterested advice in science and technology.

Through its advisory activities, NAST has been able to bring science and technology closer to the lives of the Filipino. Its series of information fora and roundtable discussions have encouraged public participation in open discussions of important and pressing issues in science and technology on a wide range of topics such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, intellectual property rights, information and communications technology, high performance computing, sustainable agriculture and waste management, water resource management among others.

Academicians and other local and foreign experts have put their knowledge and expertise together to advise the legislators and the senate, including other policy making bodies of the government and non-government entities, on policies related to science and technology.

The NAST PHL Advisory activities are:
- Annual Scientific Meeting
- Dioscoro L. Umali Memorial Lecture
- Speakers Bureau
- Science Legislative Forum / Science Information Forum
- Policy Forum / Roundtable Discussion
SCIENTIFIC LINKAGES
The Academy continuously explores and maintains linkages with foreign academies of science, technology, and engineering as well as with international and regional networks and local science organizations to promote close scientific cooperation.

Since 1978, the Academy has forged international and national scientific linkages with other science, engineering, and technology academies and similar organizations. These linkages aim to:

(1) promote collaborative efforts among Filipino scientists, and between Filipino and foreign scientists;
(2) promote and encourage scientific cooperation through its Scientist Exchange VisitProgram under the memorandum of agreement between NAST and a foreign science academy;
(3) endorse participation in international conferences, meetings, fora, seminars, workshops, andsimilar scientific activities; and
(4) publish and exchange scientific literature.

Through these scientific linkages interested scientists may seek grants for scientific andtechnological undertakings, including fellowships, research grants, study visits, and grants for other collaborative projects from the academies associated with the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Science Academies and Societies with Bilateral Agreement at present, the Academy maintains twenty-five (25) linkages, both local and international.
Affiliations to International Scientific Association:
Other Linkages:
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HERITAGE CENTER
Realizing the potential of Salinlahi as an important instrument to promote scientific culture in the land, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9107, also known as the Philippine Science Heritage Center Act, on April 14, 2001. The law was published in the Malaya and the Manila Times on April 25, 2001. The Act affirms the Government's commitment and policy to continually support and encourage the development of the country's science and technology program and to promote the Philippines' scientific contributions to the world.

The Act identifies the Academy as the Government agency that would manage, operate and maintain the Center. It also gives the PSHC the following legal power and functions (Section 4):
- to document the works, ideas, inventions and products of Filipino scientists and other accomplishments in the field of S&T
- to establish a display area for samples of inventions, scientific products, memorabilia, references and library materials
- to produce printed materials to be used by the academe in teaching values with scientific insights and which may be used as a source of information by the general public
- to serve as the core of the network of science museums in the Philippines
- to perform such acts as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act
SCIENTIFIC CAREER SYSTEM

The Scientific Career System is a system of recruitment, career progression, recognition and reward of scientists in the public service as a means of developing a pool of highly qualified and productive scientific personnel. The System is characterized by:

1. Entrance to and career progression or advancement based on qualifications, merit and scientific productivity;
2. Career paths that shall allow scientists to develop within their respective areas of expertise without leaving their status as scientists; and
3. Incentives and rewards to ensure attraction and retention of highly qualified persons in the science and technology sector.

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MANDATE

Under Presidential Decree 1003-A and

Executive Order No. 818, NAST is responsible for

the following:

To recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology as well as provide meaningful incentives to those engaged in scientific and technological researches (P.D. 1003-A). - RECOGNITION FUNCTION
To advise the President and the Cabinet on matters related to science and technology (E. O. 818 - ADVISORY FUNCTION
To engage in projects and programs designed to recognize outstanding achievements in science and to promote scientific productivity (Executive Order No. 818). - RECOGNITION FUNCTION
To embark on programs traditionally and internationally expected of an academy of science (Executive Order No. 818 s. 1982)). - SCIENTIFIC LINKAGES FUNCTION
To manage, operate and maintain the Philippine Science Heritage Center (Republic Act 9107). - PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HERITAGE CENTER
To manage the Philippine Scientific Career System (E.O. 17 s. 2023) - SCIENTIFIC CAREER SYSTEM
To engage in projects and programs designed to recognize outstanding achievements in science and to promote scientific productivity (E. O. 818 s. 1982)
To embark on programs traditionally and internationally expected of an academy of science (E.O. 818 s. 1982)
To manage, operate and maintain the Philippine Science Heritage Center (R.A. 9107)

MISSION

The missions are the following:

To recognize outstanding achievements of Filipinos in science, technology and innovation;

To provide authoritative and evidence-based advice to government and society, in general;

To promote a strong science culture in Philippine society; and

To facilitate collaboration with communities and institutions for scientific, technological, and innovative pursuits.

VISION

Its Vision for the Country:

"A Progressive Philippines Anchored on Science"

Our Vision: