C. Luzon SMEs get boost via innovation confab

By Zorayda Tecson 

INNOVATION SUMMIT. DOST Regional Director Julius Caesar Sicat delivers his message during the 2022 THRIVE Central Luzon Innovation Summit at The Orchids Garden, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Thursday (Dec. 1, 2022). The event is to enable the matching, adoption or commercialization of locally-generated innovations and technologies from the R&D institutions to the interested MSMEs. (Photo courtesy of DOST Region III)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Central Luzon have received a big boost in upgrading their businesses through collaborative innovations.

Through the 2022 Technological Hive of Regional Innovation for a Vibrant Ecosystem (THRIVE) Central Luzon Innovation Summit held here recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), along with other stakeholders, provided the SMEs with a venue that links them to various strategies in leveling up their operations.

In his message during the summit at The Orchids Garden here, DOST Regional Director Julius Caesar Sicat said the goal of the initiative is to enable the matching, adoption or commercialization of locally-generated innovations and technologies from Research and Development (R&D) institutions by interested SME owners.

“You are the backbone of the economy,” Sicat stressed as he underscored the importance of linkages among SMEs, higher educational institutions (HEIs) and government agencies for inclusive and sustainable development.

“Let us continue working together to realize our vision for a thriving Central Luzon, a venue for innovation to work as a pool, to address challenges where a multi-challenges approach will enable us to maximize existing capacities and strengths of each player. To fill in the gaps and weaknesses of one another, let us adopt vital allowing innovations,” he said during the live-streamed event.

Meanwhile, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, through its University Extension Center, brought the products of R&D initiatives to the summit to showcase the technologies of the university and entice more technology adopters.

These innovations include the Andali Rapid Test Kits, Lepton-site, AnthracKnows, Choco Goat’s Milk and Nutribar, among others. These innovations have been developed under the DOST and CLSU partnership in R&D to cater to local and national needs in all aspects of growth and development.

During the event, a total of 32 SMEs in the region were cited and recognized for their commitment to forging partnerships with HEIs and R&D Institutes.

Sicat said the SME-HEI collaboration, through this engagement, would be strengthened and aligned with the objectives of THRIVE Central Luzon Innovation Summit.

The event formed part of the celebration of National Science and Technology last November 29 to December 1, 2022. (PNA)