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The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and the University of the Philippines, through the National Engineering Center, launched the Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HeIRIT) Program, a 12-month preparatory program for starting technology business incubators (TBIs).

The HeIRIT Program was designed to help universities meet the requirements of the Council’s TBI funding and train their managers to run their own DOST-affiliated TBIs to cater the growing demand for early stage entrepreneurial support particularly in the regions. The kick-off activity held last April 16-18, 2018 at the UP National Engineering Center was participated by different university TBI representatives. 20 out of the 45 universities that applied around the country were successfully selected by the Council’s Panel of Experts to undergo the said program. Another two universities were added in the list of successful applicants through a move by then PCIEERD Executive Director, Carlos Primo David, in 2017 as part of the Director’s Save Award.

Dr. Rizalinda de Leon, Executive Director of the National Engineering Center said, “Universities, therefore, should ensure that its students and faculties will be successful in their innovation entrepreneurship endeavors. As enabling partners, we shall help our universities create and implement new ideas that generate value for public use. Your attendance on this program tells us that we are all one in heart and mind in recognizing that innovation and entrepreneurship are important to address major developmental challenges – inclusion, sustainability and prosperity.” as she welcomed the participants.

The overview of the DOST TBI program was presented by Ms. Russell Pili, program manager of PCIEERD TBI Program, highlighting the objectives, which are to create jobs, develop entrepreneurs, and promote public-private partnerships. Further, she emphasized that the universities has the largest resources of talent and ideas, and it is the role of the new TBI managers to harness their talent and provide a supporting environment for future young entrepreneurs.

“The goal of the DOST is to establish 1000 startups in the next five years through replication of startup communities in the regions.” said Ms. Pili. This challenged the participants to earnestly take part in the program and produce promising startups in the next five years.

“’Technology Business Income’ is what TBI really is and not only a mere technology business incubator.” Prof. Nestor Rañeses mentioned during his presentation of the HeIRIT Program. “HeIRIT is all about innovation - something different, something significantly better, and something that will create a difference,” he added. Professor Nestor Rañeses is the project leader of HEIRIT and is the helm of this trailblazing initiative. He encouraged the universities to change the academe’s status quo and produce not only graduates but entrepreneurs. After the one-year program, the universities must have their business model and list of target markets, build partnership in the business sectors, and secure a sustainability plan for their respective TBIs.

“Five best practices that has been determined to be success factors for TBI’s are: passion, clarity of purpose, T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More), feedback, and investors.”  Prof. Rañases shared as he summed up.

 

With the HeIRIT’s empowering program and tagline – “Ideate. Create. Innovate. Incubate. Invest.”, all participating universities were fueled up to take the challenge of bringing out their best efforts for the program. 

 

HeIRIT Program grantees

 
1.    Adamson University
2.    Bicol University
3.    Bulacan State University
4.    Cagayan State University          
5.    Cebu Institute of Technology           
6.    Holy Angel University
7.    Iloilo Science and Technology University
8.    Mapua Institute of Technology        
9.    Miriam College
10.  Nueva Vizcaya State University
11.  Siliman University
12.  St. Louis University – Baguio 
13.  Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila
14.  Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas
15.  University of Mindanao
16.  University of San Carlos
17.  University of Santo Tomas
18.  University of Southeastern Philippines
19.  University of the Cordilleras
20.  University of the Philippines Mindanao
21.  Samar State University
22.  Mariano Marcos State University
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Engr. Edgar Garcia (middle) of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute
(DOST-TAPI) receives the gold medals for the Smart Surface and Biotek-M projects
during the 46th Geneva Inventions (photo from Engr. Garcia).

 

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—Smart Surface, a system that converts virtually any flat surface into an interactive interface, garnered a gold medal with jury distinction during the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions) on April 11-15, 2018.

This technology is an answer to the challenge of enhancing the learning environment by offering interactive learning environments that increase learning effectiveness through active participation.

Smart Surface boasts for its distinct features that can compete with the already existing products in the market. Its content can be customized according to the client’s preference; it is portable; it can be installed in existing surfaces; and most importantly, it is low-cost with speedy after-sales support in cases of replacement, repair services, or technical help.

Aside from its applications for learning, Smart Surface is also seen to have various applications in restaurants, exhibits/fairs, advertising, and other activities that involves interactive presentations.

This system is developed by the UP Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute led by Dr. Nestor Michael Tiglao, with funding assistance from the Technicom Program of DOST - TAPI and monitored by DOST - PCIEERD

Another gold medal was received by the Biotek-M Aqua Kit, a technology developed by UP Manila. This is a confirmatory test that can detect dengue infection within an hour or less for use in hospitals and stand-alone and chain laboratories.

Geneva Inventions, with participation from more than 45 countries, is the biggest international event dedicated to feature the newest creations worldwide, which also serves as a marketplace for licenses for industrialists, distributors, and financial experts. This event is supported by the Swiss government and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

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Signatories (from LEFT): Engr. Raul Sabularse (PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director), Sec. Fortunato T. Dela Peňa (DOST Secretary), Mr. Juan Miguel Del Rosario (Toon City Academy President and Chief Executive Officer), and Mr. Roderico De Guzman (Toon City Academy VP for Resources Development)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), partners with Toon City Academy through a memorandum of agreement signed on March 7, 2018 to capacitate and hone more Filipino animators, ushering the growth of our creative industries.

The memorandum of agreement is a response to PCIEERD’s recent inclusion of Creative Industries to its sectoral coverage with the initiative to spur an increase in people capacity and employment opportunities through proper cultivation of talents and adequate trainings. “I believe that it is high-time that we fully use our resources to boost our creative industries, as it is one of the driving forces of our economy and its continuing growth,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peňa.

The pilot project was designed to stregnthen animation since it is now a known emerging market in the business process outsourcing sector. According to the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), currently, the country has 6,000 local animators. However, not every animator is equipped with skills that are noticed in the global market, making the Philippine animation industry remain in its infancy.

With this, Toon City Academy, the only Emmy-award winning studio here in the Philippines, is a perfect fit for this initiative. This birthed the project titled “Industry-defined 2D Basic Animation Course,” comprising of a 12-week intensive basic animation workshop, and actual work production through an internship program.

Mr. Roderico De Guzman, Toon City Academy’s VP for Resource Development, said that he is thankful for this collaboration as it has provided the necessary tools to 120 animators-in-training to improve their livelihood. These animators are from Pangasinan and Iloilo City. The 12-week animation course ensures that they acquire industry-standard skills. “We are currently addressing capacity building outside Metro Manila and with the help of everyone here, we are creating employment for people who will not necessarily have this chance in their areas,” De Guzman added.

“You are probably aware of the recent Oscar Awards, the theme song of ‘Coco’ was written by a Filipino couple; and that animated feature film, while its characters are Mexican, the lead story writer is Filipino—Gigi Santos. I can run by many names. Ronnie del Carmen co-directed ‘Inside and Out.’ Paul Abadilla, a set designer in ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Finding Dory,’ was the animator behind the bahay kubo in the first film. Now, our animation studio is working on two titles for Disney, and two blockbuster titles from French studios. All that to say that the talent for world-class animation is here.” With this, Toon City Academy’s President and CEO Mr. Juan Miguel Del Rosario guarantees the success of this initiative, believing that Filipinos have what it takes to flourish in the global spotlight.

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02 March 2018 – The UP Diliman Institute of Biology (IB) and Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI), and UP Los Baños Institute of Biology team up to introduce the country’s first Smart Farm that will be built at the DOST-ASTI Complex, Quezon City.

The Nursery of Indigenous and Endemic Plants will house the facility for the Smart Plant Production in Controlled Environments (SPICE), a 128M program funded by the Innovation Council, DOST-PCIEERD, which aims to promote urban farming and high-tech plant conservation.

This program aims to lead the research and development (R&D) for the design of a stand-alone urban farm system and establish protocols for micropropagation, cryopreservation, and nursery management of rare, endangered, and economically valuable native plant species.

“The core of this project is not only the development of new technology, but, on a macro perspective, to ensure that we can protect our country’s rich biodiversity,” DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara mentioned in her message.

Modern farming methods like vertical farming, micropropagation, cryopreservation, and hydroponics will be practiced to grow native plants in an environment wherein the climate, the lighting, and the irrigation system can be monitored, controlled, and changed real-time through the use of electronics, sensors, and automation.

“My idea of internationalization is exporting our own ideas…’yung scientists ng ibang bansa ang pupunta dito para aralin ang endemic trees natin. SPICE is an innovation project,” remarked Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, UP Executive Vice President.

National Scientist and UP Professor Emeritus, Dr. Edgardo Gomez shared his experiences in Biology and commended the team for initiating the project, saying that “This (SPICE) will be a world-class institute.”

Aside from the technical features of the project, the facility is envisioned to include a living laboratory where visitors can see the various technologies employed and store where they can buy fresh vegetables grown on-site.

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(From Left) DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, QBO Director Katrina Chan, DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita “Fita” Aldaba, JP Morgan Executive Director Patricia Javier-Gutrierrez, Ideaspace Executive Director Diane Eustaquio, and President QBO Phillipines & Ideaspace Foundation Inc. Rene Meily.

Interested in creating or joining a startup but you don’t know how to start?

Good news: the QBO Innovation Hub introduced the latest stage in its effort to “lead Filipino startups in changing the world”—the QBO App, now available for download and it’s free!

The mobile app offers a virtual hub for all startup enthusiasts where they can easily connect with a broader range of entrepreneurs, investors, partners, and other potential resource persons regardless of geographical location. It is also an avenue for users to engage in startup-related discussions as well as stay updated with QBO’s events and services.

Katrina Chan, QBO Director, presented the key features of QBO App which are: Qnnect, Qllaborate, and Qntribute. Users can easily Qnnect with startups, mentors, and inventors to create meaningful partnerships, find new businesses and investments, or stay on top of the latest news.

Its Qllaborate feature allows users to discover startup-related events across the country, participate in groups to seek advice, discuss trendy topics, and communicate with special guests and speakers. Important resources like government forms, speaker presentations, and other documents can be downloaded through Qllaborate.

Lastly, the mobile app encourages the users to become active members of the startup ecosystem through Qntribute—sharing their news, pushing their own products, and posting photos, links, videos and other startup-related content on a social media-like timeline, as well as give feedback to QBO’s programs and services.

“We are totally taking a step towards the right direction in making it convenient for our startups to connect,” NAME, JP Morgan Managing Director, commended the app and added, “This provides open access to all levels of society, which is integral in inclusive growth of the country.”

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña reminded, “we have to instill in them the spirit of competition. I encourage you (startups) to be persistent.”

What is QBO Innovation Hub?

QBO Innovation Hub is a groundbreaking partnership between public and private sector that aims to develop, grow, and scale up a competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines. The hub encourages Qllaboration between startups, develop Qmmunity (over 100 programs designed for developing startups), and provide Inqbation for startups. In 2017, they were recognized as one of the three ‘Best Accelerator Programme’ at the Rice Bowl Startup Awards.

QBO Innovation Hub is a collaboration among DOST, Department of Trade and Industry, JP Morgan, and Ideaspace.

For more information about QBO, visit www.qbo.com.ph.

DOST’s Technology Business Incubation (TBI) Program

The Innovation Council, DOST-PCIEERD, supports the QBO Innovation Hub under the TBI Program. This program aims to promote innovation and technopreneurship for the country’s socio-economic development in a knowledge-based world economy providing a range of resources, services and facilities needed during the development stage. The goal of TBI is to produce firms that will leave the incubation program financially viable and able to sustain operation and compete in the market.

More information on the TBI Program at http://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/work-with-us/59-technology-business-incubation-program.