Ifugao State University (IFSU) took a major step towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector with the inauguration of two key projects on January 22, 2024. This event saw the official opening of the Intellectual Property Technology Business Management (IPTBM) building and the unveiling of the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) program marker. These initiatives were funded with a combined P10 million from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD.
The IP-TBM office will serve as a one-stop hub for researchers/incubatees to manage, protect, and commercialize their intellectual property generated from government-funded research. Meanwhile, the ATBI program, spearheaded by the IPTBM office, supports the use and commercialization of mature technologies in the AANR sector through technology transfer and the establishment of viable agribusinesses.
University President Dr. Eva Marie Codmon-Dugyon expressed gratitude to DOST-PCAARRD for their continuous support and for entrusting IFSU with such impactful projects. “The IPTBM center bridges the gap between research and commercialization,” she remarked.
Ms. Milagros H. Dulnuan, owner of Ifugao Midland Coffee and an ATBI partner- incubatee, shared her positive experience, thanking the program for enhancing her skills and promoting her products, resulting in increased income. “Their technical and managerial support was invaluable in improving my product label and registering my copyright,” she added.
Dr. Moses B. Appoy, Director of IFSU – IPTBM Center, lauded Ms. Dulnuan as a testament to the ATBI program’s success. Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of DOST – PCAARRD, emphasized the importance of partnerships like the one with IFSU and highlighted the program’s reliance on strong institutional collaboration for success. He also noted that the true measure of the ATBI program’s success lies in fostering successful entrepreneurs like Ms. Dulnuan.
“Without partners like you, DOST would only have resources without outputs,” Dr. Ebora added. “With improved facilities, we can increase awareness of the university and R & D generators in the concepts of IP management, technology commercialization, and operation, ensuring R&D outputs benefit AANR stakeholders and sustain science and technology-based innovation.”
Dr. Noel A. Catibog, Director of the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of PCAARRD, and Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena, Director of the Institution Development Division (IDD) – PCAARRD, echoed Dr. Ebora’s views by emphasizing the importance of assisting interested individuals and providing a supportive environment for researchers, incubatees and their target clientele.**Faith Belingon Napudo
