CSU joins National TBI Summit; signs TBI 4.0 MOU

Caraga State University (CSU) joined all other stakeholders in the Philippine startup ecosystem during the 3^rd National Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Summit organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), QBO, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as part of the Philippine Startup Week (PHSW) 2019 celebrations held last November 20-22, 2019 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, CSU President, Engr. Jeffrey T. Dellosa, TBI Project Leader and Director of the Technology Transfer and Licensing Office (TTLO) with Dr. Rolyn Daguil, Co-project Leader of the TBI project and Dean of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) attended the event and represented CSU.

Highlight of the Day 1 event was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the TBI 4.0 universities & institutions with the DOST, and the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies Research and Development (PCIEERD). The institutions which are part of the TBI 4.0 program are QBO (private and government-backed TBI), Asian Institute of Management (AIM) – Dado Banatao Incubator, Batangas State University, Caraga State University, De La Salle University, MSU- Iligan Institute of Technology, Palawan State University, UP Cebu, UP Diliman, UP Los Baňos, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, and the West Visayas State University.

DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peňa gave a substantial message after the MOU signing. Other representatives from the DOST include Engr. Raul Sabularse, the OIC Executive Director of the Philippine Council of Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies Research and Development (PCIEERD), and Ms. Russell Pili, the Chief Science Research Specialist (SRS) of the Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD) of PCIEERD. Ms. Pili is being tagged by many as the “Queen Tita” of all 43 DOST PCIEERD funded TBIs.

The TBI 4.0 program aims to upgrade the capabilities of the DOST’s TBI network to set off their “internationalization” programs.

“Through the DOST TBI 4.0 program, we are currently leveling up our DOST TBIs to be on a par with well-known foreign incubators and put the Philippines on the map in terms of services and start-up support. We aim for global presence and offer our start-ups opportunities so they can scale up and grow,” Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said during the summit.

“The TBI 4.0 program was conceptualized with the goal of elevating the services and programs of the DOST TBI Network as a whole. To reiterate this point, the program aims to build upon and expand the current strengths and capabilities of the original DOST TBIs by means of codeveloping programs with international incubators and accelerators. In doing so, this would allow our own start-ups to be exposed to the best practices available in the international innovation ecosystem,” de la Peña said.

Following two panel discussions, the MOU signing with BCB and DOST took place. CSU is among the twelve (12) partner universities of the BCB Blockchain, a Singapore-based tech company focusing on block chain technologies. BCB Blockchain is a blockchain protocol for developing and supporting smart city solutions. CSU also received a “Commemoration of Partnership” which was also received by Dr. Penaso.

BCB Blockchain promised to provide grant of Php15 Million pesos to startups with the blockchain-based innovations.

Meanwhile, days 2 and 3 of the Main Summit were hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) respectively.

Highlight of the Day 3 event was the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Philippine Innovative Startup Act by the leaders of the three agencies that aims to significantly provide assistance for innovative startups in the country. It was proposed that around 3 Billion pesos will be allocated for the next 5 years for all innovative start-ups. JTD/pico