DOST7 warns world faces what experts call a “polycrisis” by 20250

 CEBU CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Region VII warned that by 2050 the world faces what experts call a “polycrisis”, a multiple crisis unfolding at the same time due to rapid urbanization with 7 out of 10 people live in urban areas.

“This is a major change that demands smarter, more sustainable ways of living. It doesn’t mean that because we Filipinos are resilient, we should live with the crisis forever,” Dr. Tristan Abando, DOST-7 OIC-Regional Director said this in a SMART TechX: Smart Technology Exchange event on August 15 in Cebu.

Abando added that to respond to these challenges, the department enhances its Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) that focuses on partnering with locally based smart technology providers thus, hosting the SMART TechX: Smart Technology Exchange.

The forum gathered 20 Smart Technology Providers and four local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas to connect with DOST in building innovative, community-centered solutions.  Its objective was orient partners and stakeholders about the SSCP; enlist partners, especially smart technology developers and providers and gather stakeholders’ insights for refining the SSCP program design.

Abando bared that the activity hopes to identify areas for improving and localizing SSCP implementation to ensure that the program directly addresses the realities of communities in Central Visayas.

Breaking the stereotype that science is only for researchers or intellectuals, DOST 7 emphasized that science is for everyone, as a supplier of practical, actionable knowledge. The SSCP offers systemic interventions that work across sectors, turning fragmented responses into collective impact.

Meanwhile, the University of Cebu and De La Salle University signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for UC’s new BS Computer Science major in Artificial Intelligence, fully supported by the DOST-7 with the launching of the 3^rd Artificial Intelligence Lab of UC to bring learning to the next level.

AI learning can be the start of finding  and adapting smart, sustainable solutions to some of the problems of rapid urbanization and crowded communities in the region. (Photos: DOST7)