The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) granted more than P1.4 million in aid to Batangas State University (BatStateU) in a bid to strengthen the operation of the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) in Calabarzon and to promote competitiveness and regional growth through innovations.
During the launch of the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center Program on Tuesday, Oct. 19, DOST-Calabarzon Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit presented the cheque amounting P1,434,515.20 to BatStateU for its “Strengthening Operation of Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) in CALABARZON” project.
Bagsit and BatStateU President Tirso Ronquillo signed the Grants-In-Aid memorandum of agreement (MOA) to fund activities under the RIICs.
The activities include support for the Barako coffee sector, establishment of a Business Innovation Unit (BIU) under BatStateU Knowledge, Innovation and Science Technology (KIST) Park and other innovation programs.
The BIU is expected to serve as a dynamic one-stop-shop for prospective innovators in the region, “with the goal of increased utilization and uptake of innovation programs/services and R&D outputs among micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)."
BatStateU Center for Technopreneurship and Innovation said the agreement builds on the approval of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for the establishment of the Calabarzon RIIC in December 2020, with DOST-Calabarzon and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Calabarzon as lead government agencies, and BatStateU as the anchor academe institution and lead implementor.
“This is only the first phase of the implementation and is expected to produce outcomes for a more developed and accessible innovation environment across the region,” it said in a statement.
The establishment of the RIICs is one of the cornerstones of the 2018 Inclusive Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap. It is initiated by the DTI and DOST and supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE).