LSPU makes big strides in ATBI
THE Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) is training at least 30 incubatees to also become “technoprenurial” as part of its Agri-Based Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) project.
“LSPU ATBI has been aggressive in nurturing startups and MSMEs (micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprise) in the Calabarzon area. To date, we have more than 30 incubatees who have been undergoing technopreneurial trainings to prepare them to fully commercialize the university-generated technologies and products as well as agribusiness products of its outwall MSMEs,” Dr. Robert Agatep, LSPU vice president for research development and extension, said in an email to The Manila Times.
Calabarzon is Region 4A and is comprised of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
Agatep added that LSPU is also strengthening its linkages and partnership with various stakeholders in the academe, research and development institutions and industries to have a sustainable ecosystem for developing agri-based entrepreneurs.
“Considering its status now, the LSPU-ATBI aims to become a premier and a more active entity in spearheading the mind of the university’s researchers and technology developers as well as the local farmers and fisherfolk toward the market system,” Agatep added.
He underscored the need to encourage, capacitate, and support farmers and technology developers to commercialize their researches, technologies and innovations in order to maximize the utilization of government resources that are being invested for its operations.
“The LSPU ATBI is being funded by the DoST-Pcaarrd (Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development) and therefore, it must actively undertake relevant activities for the incubation and commercialization of the university’s technologies and innovations,” he noted.
Agatep said the LSPU ATBI project is also being assisted by other units like the university’s Center for Innovation and Emerging Technologies as well as the LSPU Intellectual Property-Technology Business Management Office.
Agatep also thanked DoST for supporting the university in its aim of developing the local communities in its service areas.
“The agency, particularly the DoST-Pcaarrd, the DoST-Pcieerd and the Dost Regional Office 4A, are currently our partners and key benefactors in the implementation of our major research and development projects that are being designed to benefit our local communities,” he noted.
Pcieerd is the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.
Seeking global competitiveness
As part of its 70th anniversary celebration, LSPU held the Technolympics on Nov. 29, 2022 as part of the ATBI’s third inauguration anniversary.
Dr. Mario Briones, LSPU president, said the university has scheduled various programs as part of its weeklong 70th anniversary celebration.
The Technolympics showcased the products of the entrepreneurs who were assisted under the university’s ATBI project.
“We are having these weeklong activities now to celebrate the 70th foundation anniversary of the university and we have adapted the theme ‘LSPU @ 70: Overcoming Challenges in Sustaining Excellence and Global Competitiveness’ to fully emphasize our current intention to put up and nurture an excellent educational system that develops future-ready and globally competitive graduates, technologies and services,” the LSPU president said.
Briones added LSPU is maintaining a globally accredited quality management system for several years now.
“We are proud to say that the management system of the university is ISO 9001:2015 certified. It has undertaken proactive measures to ensure that its academic programs and services are relevant and are at par with national and international standards,” Briones said.
At the same time, the university president said LSPU has intensified the development of its manpower resources, particularly the faculty members, by sending them to relevant trainings and scholarships here and abroad.
“We are exposing our faculty members, non-teaching personnel and students to relevant overseas programs and experiences. We are also actively developing partnerships and linkages with prestigious local and international organizations, institutions and universities to enhance our instructional and research programs so that the university will be able to become a more relevant player in the academic community not only in the country but all over the world,” Briones said.
He said that state universities exist mainly for the purpose of helping in the attainment of progress in the countryside.
“The LSPU is being mandated by law to provide and undertake quality and relevant instruction, research and extension services. Relative to this, the university is implementing relevant programs and projects that are beneficial for the development of the country, particularly in its service areas,” the LSPU president said.
Briones said the university is helping in the production of graduates that provides the needed manpower for the whole country, particularly in Calabarzon, or even overseas.
“Likewise, the LSPU is also implementing a lot of research and development initiatives that are designed for the benefit of the local communities and the local industries in its service areas,” he noted.