Renato Solidum Jr. (L) and Tereso Panga | PHOTO: PEZA
More state universities and colleges (SUCs) have expressed their intention to establish science-centric ecozones on their campuses, with some locators focusing on renewable energy (RE), automation and medicine development, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Speaking to reporters on Aug. 10, Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said at least 44 SUCs have informed his agency of their willingness to open up their lands to KIST (knowledge, innovation, science and technology) parks, where incentives await research and tech development efforts in fields prioritized by the DOST.
Solidum made special mention of RE initiatives, such as the use of solar and hydropower projects to power far-flung rural communities, as a DOST focus.
The DOST and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) earlier signed an agreement drawing up guidelines on the development of KIST parks on campuses.
‘Huge talent pool’
“We want investors to take advantage of the huge talent pool of universities, its students and scientists and laboratories, and we are actually impressed to know that most of the R&D and innovations are coming from the academe,” said Peza Director General Tereso Panga. “If we are able to link them up with the industry, then we will be able to link them with venture capitalists who can bankroll these innovations.”
According to Panga, some universities in Catanduanes province, for example, have developed solar power tech and rain catchment systems to produce their own water supply.
Other universities, like the University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines and De La Salle University are interested in biotechnology, Solidum added.
The establishment of more KIST parks across the country can help propel these technologies to commercialization stage, the DOST chief said.
On Aug. 10, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (Pasuc) signed a joint memorandum of understanding with the DOST and Peza, under which Pasuc would encourage more SUCs to host KIST parks. INQ