27 November 2018 – A one-week Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mission to Israel was conducted on 11 to 16 November 2018 by an inter-agency delegation from the Philippines composed of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Commission on Higher Education, together with the Semi-Conductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), and USAID STRIDE. The delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba from the Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (IDTPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry.
The purpose of the mission was to study the innovation ecosystem of Israel and gather policy inputs for the planned set up of an Innovation Council of the Philippines.
During the visit, the delegation met with Prof. Alexander Bligh, Chief Scientist and other officials from Israel’s Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Danny Biran, Vice President of the Innovation Authority, and Dr. Shmuel Assouline, Associate Director for International Cooperation of the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) – The Volcani Center who provided insights on the nexus between government, private companies and academe in developing the innovation ecosystem of Israel.
The delegation also visited the Weizmann Institute of Science and Technion Israel Institute of Technology which produced several Nobel Laureates in the field of chemistry.
A visit to the Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital led by Dr. Ishay Ostfeld gave the delegation a glimpse of the latest Israeli medical technology and research. Israel is a leading producer of advanced medical instruments, many of which are exported to the Philippines.
The delegation also met with Mr. Dan Catarivas, Director General for Foreign Trade & International Relations of the Manufacturers Association of Israel and visited the SEAKURA seaweeds farm and Gaash Apollo Lighting manufacturing plant to appreciate the application of innovation in actual industries in Israel.
To complete the innovation and entrepreneurship mission, the delegation had the chance to experience at the Center of Innovation-Taglit some of life-changing Israeli technologies that have been commercialized such as autonomous vehicles, 3D design and printing, state-of-the-art portable generator that turns vapor into potable water, and AI glasses for the blind.
“The Philippines is currently developing its own innovation ecosystem and this visit has provided us with so many insights into the success of Israel as the Start-Up Nation,” said DTI Assistant Secretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group Rafaelita M. Aldaba.
“More than developing the ability of Israelis to innovate, it is equally important to develop a culture of entrepreneurs among Filipinos,” said DOST Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia after hearing Mr. Adi Rosenfeld, known as the Start-Up Whisperer of Israel.
“The Philippine Embassy proposed this inter-agency mission more than three years ago, and its visit to Israel is definitely a major step towards more cohesive government policies and partnerships with the private sector and academe in developing the Philippine innovation ecosystem,” said Ambassador to the State of Israel Neal Imperial.
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mission was curated by the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv. – END-
Philippine Ambassador to the State of Israel Neal Imperial holds a briefing for the members of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mission to Israel.
(In Photo) DOST Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia (2nd from left) Ambassador Neal Imperial (3rd from left), DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba (4th from left) and other Philippine officials from DTI, DOST and CHED, meet MOST Chief Scientist, Prof. Alexander Bligh (3rd from right) and other officials of the MOST.
Mr. Danny Biran Vice President of Israel’s Innovation Authority talks about the innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Shmuel Assouline (6th from left) poses with the delegation at the Agricultural Research Organization.
The delegation during their visit to Weizmann Institute of Science.
(In photo) The delegation was joined at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology by Mr. Carmel Hacohen, Philippine Honorary Consul General to Haifa and Northern Israel (center).
Dr. Ishay Ostfeld (5th from left front row) and Mr. Shimon Weinbaum, Philippine Honorary Consul for Jerusalem and Southern Israel (1st from left 2nd row) during the visit to Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital.
(In photo) Mr. Dan Catarivas (center) with the delegation at the office of the Manufacturers Association of Israel.
The delegation with the officers of SEAKURA super seaweeds farm, Vice Consul Judy Razon and Mr. Shimon Weinbaum, Philippine Honorary Consul for Jerusalem and Southern Israel.
The delegation with the officers of Gaash Apollo Lighting, Vice Consul Judy Razon and Mr. Shimon Weinbaum, Philippine Honorary Consul for Jerusalem and Southern Israel.
The delegation had the opportunity to try the life-changing Israeli innovations at the Center of Innovation-Taglit.
Mr. Dan Lachica, President of the Semi-Conductors and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, Inc. viewing the demonstration of Orbotech.