Duterte appoints UP prof as head of DOST’s advanced science division

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed University of the Philippines Electrical and Electronics Engineering associate professor Dr. Franz Asunta De Leon at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In a statement Thursday, the DOST said De Leon was appointed as director of the agency’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) which leads research and development in the fields of information and communications technology, microelectronics, and space technology.

De Leon was sworn into office this Thursday before DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña at the DOST-ASTI Building in Diliman, Quezon City.

He replaces Dr. Joel Joseph Sacro Marciano Jr. who was earlier named head of the Philippine Space Agency.

“During these challenging times, there is a need for solutions and applications that will uplift our spirits and help us adjust to the new normal. As the new ASTI Director, I want to make the Filipinos enjoy the benefits of innovative solutions in the field of ICT, Microelectronics and Space Technology,” De Leon said, as quoted in the statement.

“We will continue to work closely with our stakeholders to meet their expectations. We will also continue to invest not only in upgrading the facilities, but more importantly in our human resources to be agile and ready for the next generation technologies,” he added.

De Leon earned his bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering in 2003, and his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 2005. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom in 2014.

JPV