The Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) is a consortium of eight-member universities:

• University of  the Philippines – Diliman
• University of the Philippines – Los Banos
• De La Salle University
• Mapua Institute of Technology
• Ateneo de Manila University
• Mindanao State University Iligan
• University of San Carlos
• Central Luzon State University

that offer mature master’s and doctoral degrees in various engineering fields. The ERDT Program was approved by President Arroyo in April 2007 with a P3.5 Billion (US$ 70M) funding for three years.

The components of the project include MS and Ph.D. scholarships, faculty development, infrastructure development, and research and development (R&D) in four areas: ICT, Semiconductor and  Electronics, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure.

Why is there a need for this program?

Research, scientists, and engineers (RSEs) with advanced degrees are needed to make S&T work for Filipinos: from disaster mitigation to poverty alleviation, from agriculture to semiconductor industries; ensure a sustainable environment and affordable energy for the future; produce indigenous technologies to better the lives of Filipinos.

Source:

2nd ERDT Conference Proceedings

If you are interested to know more about ERDT, the requirements, etc,  search the UP College of Engineering Website (http://www.engg.upd.edu.ph/).