Innovative Business Competition launched in Palawan

The Palawan International Business Incubator (Palawan ITBI) launched its flagship competition called the “I CAN Business Competition” on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Palawan State University Main Campus.

“I CAN”, which stands for Innopreneurs Creating Innovative solutions to Advance the Nation, aims to encourage the creation of research-based and innovative business solutions that will help solve social and community problems and advance the local and regional economy.

The event was attended by students, computer programmers, web and program developers, entrepreneurs, and more.

Dr. Frances Muriel L. Tuquero, Vice President for Research and Extension of Palawan State University (PSU), emphasized the important role of research and innovation in changing the lives of the people.

She said that excellent research and excellent innovation are gauged by usefulness to the people in the community or else such research or innovation is meaningless if it does not address a problem or an issue.

“We can be the very best innovator that we can be,” Tuquero said.

Engr. Pacifico Sarriego, Provincial Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), underscored the role of science and technology in nation building. It is shifting from the traditional into technology-based innovation.

“Science and Technology are key ingredients of nation building. Kasi mas mapabuti nya ng konti ang simple to complex. Walang kwenta ang anumang teknolohiya kung hindi ito anchored on people,” said Sarriego.

The I CAN Innovative Business Competition is open to 18 to 55 years old, a minimum of three members and a maximum of five members who are researchers, students and nonstudents, faculty or industry expert. Entries must be backed up with research, feasibility studies while a thesis has a higher chance to be selected.

PITBI said it is open to all parts in the country and they prioritized entries that will focus on logistic, tourism and agriculture. The winner will receive P200,000 cash prize.

The competition is one of the major strategies of Palawan ITBI in building the innovation community in the MIMAROPA region and its adjacent region like CALABARZON.

The I CAN Business Competition is organized by Palawan International Technology Business Incubator, a DOSTPCIEERD funded TBI in partnership with Junior Chamber International – Puerto Princesa Oil, Palawan State University, Batangas State University – Center for Technopreneurship and Innovation and DOST – MIMAROPA.