DOST 8 Launched STARBOOKS in Biliran

Share

Ms. Maria Catherine G. Maniba, OIC-PSTD, welcoming all the
 participants of the STARBOOKS launching in NSU, Naval, Biliran

STARBOOKS or Science & Technology Academic and Research Based Openly Operated Kiosk Systems is the talk of the town.

Do you ever wonder what it is? Well, it's a digital library or in a layman's term a collection of books in a computer. This project is a compendium of S&T information gathered from all over the world and is a standalone information kiosk, which makes information access possible even without internet connection.

What is exciting is that, STARBOOOKS is now in several pilot schools in Biliran Division after it was launched last April 26, 2016 at the Audio Visual Room of Naval State University (NSU), Naval, Biliran.

The said launching was attended by the School Heads, Librarians and School ITs from the six (6) identified secondary schools and SUCs from the province namely: Tucdao NHS, Manlabang NHS, Naval NHS, Biliran National Agricultural HS, NSU- Main Campus, and NSU-Biliran Campus. These schools were strategically identified to provide the biggest impact in achieving the programs objectives.

School Heads of the identified recipient schools
signing  the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

STARBOOKS is a brainchild of the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology, which is the leading repository of S&T information and data in the Philippines.   In the past, library is a place where books, magazines and other instructional materials are kept and made available for people to use or borrow (Merriam Webster). Moreover, with the trend in S&T nowadays, the presence of computer with internet connection in the library is a great help for students.  However, it is sad to note that not all schools  in remote areas have functional libraries with functional facilities such as computer and internet.

STARBOOKS was developed because of these challenges. This project intends to serve as an information access portals in key areas in the Philippines.

Launching of STARBOOKS in Biliran was spearheaded by a team from DOST 8 office led by Engr. Florentino Quinones and assisted by PSTC-Biliran staff. During the activity, signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOST 8, STII and the schools was conducted followed by a hands-on training on the installation of the STARBOOKS.

Hands-on Training with the ITs and school
librarians after MOU signing. 

The said project was launched nationally on June 24, 2011. It is hoped that with STARBOOKS, number of Filipino students all over the Philippines will create an interest in the field of S&T, be encouraged to develop new ideas through S&T inventions and innovations, and be inspired to become entrepreneurs and researchers for socioeconomic development.

For more information and inquiry regarding the STARBOOKS project, you may visit www.stii.dost.gov.ph or you may contact DOST 8 through phone numbers (053) 323-7110 or (053) 832-4139 and look for Engr. Florentino L. Quinones. (Juliet Aguirre, AA3, DOST-Biliran)