Quipper Philippines and DOST-STARBOOKS Renew Partnership to Widen Access to Science and Technology Learning

Not every Filipino student has reliable internet access, and for many schools, that gap can put science and technology resources further out of reach. For fifteen years, DOST-STII has been closing that gap through STARBOOKS, a free digital library built to work with or without an internet connection. For six years, Quipper Philippines has supported that mission as a promotion partner — and this year, the partnership enters a new chapter

What is DOST-STARBOOKS?

STARBOOKS — short for Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS — is DOST-STII's flagship S&T digital library project. Launched in 2011 to serve communities with little or no internet connectivity, it has since grown into one of the country's most widely deployed education tools, now present in more than 10,000 sites nationwide, from public schools to libraries and local government offices.

Its database spans research papers and journal articles, livelihood and educational videos, financial literacy materials, and S&T reference volumes drawn from DOST-STII's own collection — alongside learning and teaching materials mapped to Grades 1 through 12. Newer versions add curriculum-aligned quizzes, lesson guides, and instructional resources tied to specific subjects, making it easier for teachers to integrate them directly into their lessons.

STARBOOKS was originally designed to work offline. Its core version is a standalone kiosk that does not require an internet connection. The STARBOOKS server can also be connected to a local network, allowing multiple users to access its resources simultaneously using their own devices.

For schools and communities with internet access, STARBOOKS is also available online through www.starbooks.ph and the mobile apps STARBOOKS GO and STARBOOKS Finder. The apps are available on both Google Play and the App Store, with STARBOOKS Finder helping users locate STARBOOKS offline sites across the country.

All STARBOOKS resources are free and accessible to students, teachers, researchers, and the general public—not only those in partner schools.

A Six-Year Partnership, Formalized

On September 1, 2026, Quipper Philippines and the DOST Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) signed a new Memorandum of Agreement at DOST-STII Office in Taguig City, formally renewing their collaboration for another year. The signing builds on six years of partnership between the two organizations, during which Quipper has supported DOST-STII's STARBOOKS program by donating devices and other resources. This year's agreement includes a laptop donation to support the operations of DOST-STII's programs and projects

MOA signing attended by key figures (from left to right) Arlene E. Centeno (Chief, FAD, DOST-STII), Rainer Rondero (Head of Sales & Marketing, Quipper Philippines), Mae Galing (Strategic Partnership & Alliance Lead), Allan C. Taule (Chief, IRAD, DOST-STII), David Soukhasing (CEO, Quipper Philippines), Katrina Miranda (Head of Business Operations & Chief of Staff, Quipper Philippines), Marievic V. Narquita (Section Head, ISS-IRAD DOST-STII).

Quipper Laptop Donation to DOST - STII

What This Means for Your School

The partnership strengthens DOST-STII's capacity to fulfill its mission to provide free science, technology, and innovation information to more learners and educators in communities nationwide.

As part of the partnership, Quipper has linked STARBOOKS Online into its platform, giving students direct access to STARBOOKS through a learning environment they already use. This makes it easier for students to discover and use STARBOOKS without having to access a separate platform or visit a physical kiosk. 

Quipper is also committed to promoting STARBOOKS to schools and educators within its network, helping more institutions discover the resource and learn how to use it. This wider reach can create more opportunities for schools to engage directly with the STARBOOKS team and explore ways to maximize the platform's use over time.

“You Built the Library. We Are Trying to Put It Where the Students Already Are.”

Quipper Philippines CEO David Soukhasing shared how he came to understand STARBOOKS — not from a briefing, but from a school visit, during which a teacher described the STARBOOKS kiosk in her library as one of the school's strongest assets.

“DOST spent fifteen years building something meaningful — a real collection of Philippine science and technology knowledge, and eight thousand doors into it. What we bring is one more door. STARBOOKS will continue to sit inside the Quipper platform, so a student does not have to walk into the room with the kiosk to reach it.”

“You built the library. We are trying to put it where the students already are.”

— David Soukhasing, CEO, Quipper Philippines, Inc.

Looking Ahead

With more than 344,000 students already learning through Quipper’s platform in the Philippines and a goal of reaching 500,000 more, the partnership puts DOST-STII’s science and technology resources within easier reach of more learners, right alongside their regular lessons.

Quipper Philippines and DOST-STII also look forward to more joint activities throughout the year, continuing to work together to expand access to quality learning resources and support the future of education in the country.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Bring the best education to every corner of your school.

Partnerships like this one are part of what Quipper brings to its partner schools — and STARBOOKS sits alongside the rest of what the platform offers: Quipper LMS for teachers, students, parents, and school admins; Quipper Content with DepEd- and CHED-aligned lessons and assessments from Kinder to Tertiary; and Quipper Support, the dedicated team that guides your school from pre-implementation diagnosis through year-end review.

Three solutions, one partnership — now joined by 600+ partner schools across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Book a demo and start your 30-day free trial — no initial investment required, no long-term commitment. Kindly email us at marketing.ph@quipper.com or submit your information through the Book a Free Demo button.