Long-time DOST associate to replace 'retired' DOST Usec

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has tapped a "long-time associate" to replace undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr., after he availed of early retirement this week.

 

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo named Dr. Amelia Guevara as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Development (OUSEC-R&D).

 

"An accomplished administrator, educator, and scientist, Dr. Guevara is a long-time associate of the DOST. She has been involved in various critical positions in the Department as representative of the University of the Philippines (UP) to the Scientific Career Council, Board of Trustees of the Philippine Science High School, and Governing Council of the then Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD) during the period 2005-2011," the DOST said in a news release posted Wednesday afternoon on the Official Gazette website.

 

Yumul had served as DOST’s Undersecretary for R&D from January 26, 2006 to March 12, 2012.

 

Guevara will take Yumul's place while keeping her present position as Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

 

In her new additional post, Dr. Guevara will supervise the Department’s R&D institutes and Grants-In-Aid programs as well as provide guidance in the review and formulation of R&D policies and procedures.

 

The OUSEC-R&D is also responsible for expanding initiations and agreements and existing cooperation in S&T, and for the management of bilateral and multilateral linkages.

 

The DOST said Guevara was also a member of the External Review Committee of the then Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).

 

Guevara, before joining DOST-PCIEERD, was the immediate past Vice President for Academic Affairs of the UP System.

 

"Concurrently, as Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, Dr. Guevara will continue to lead DOST-PCIEERD, one of the three Research Councils of the Department. She was appointed Executive Director on secondment from UP by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, and took her oath of office before Sec. Montejo on April 1, 2011," the DOST said.

 

DOST-PCIEERD is the lead agency for the planning, promotion and management of scientific and technological research for the industry, energy and emerging technology sectors.

 

It is a result of the consolidation of DOST-PCASTRD and DOST-PCIERD. — TJD, GMA News