Members of academic sector inks pact to foster technology advancements

By Keren Anne Bernadas

REPRESENTATIVES from different higher academic institutions and technology business incubators (TBI) in the province of Camarines Sur signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost technology advancements, entrepreneurship, digital innovation and economic growth in the Bicol region. The signing was held at the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) Gymnasium on Monday, July 10.

The momentous event also gave birth to the launching of the ICONICS or the Innovations Convergence of Intrepid Camarines Sur. In his rationale speech, UNC TBI Director Jason Boñaga said that this is a collaboration among institutions to establish a support system where each shares resources and best practices to promote strategic partnerships and strengthen student involvement in today’s digital and entrepreneurial potential.

Signatories include Engineer Ryan Alvin Mercado, TBI Manager from Ateneo De Naga University, Dr. Fay Lauraya, president of University of Nueva Caceres, Dr. Dulce Atian, officer-in-charge president of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, Dr. Nerisa Paladin, Partido TBI director of Partido State University, Mr. Joseph Manansala from Naga College Foundation Technology Resource Center, and Joselito Ocol, Jr., Executive Director of BEECALL TBI.

The memorandum signing was also witnessed by representatives from different government agencies: Department of Trade and Industry Cam Sur Provincial Director Jay Percival S. Ablan; Department of Science and Technology Cam Sur Engr. Ernesto A. Reyes, Jr.; Department of Information and Communications Technology Cam Sur Provincial Director Pinky Nepomuceno; PJ Legaspi, Industry Lead officer from Naga City Startup Development Program, Local Government Unit of Naga, and Ronald Rodriguez, president of HAKA Naga.

Dr. Fay Lauraya, president of University of Nueva Caceres, on her speech, said that the signing of the MoU also embodies the university’s drive and support for the students’ participation in digital innovation, technological synergy and economic growth not only for the province of Camarines Sur, but in the whole Bicol region.

Under the MoU, all organizations and agencies will work collaboratively to provide comprehensive support and resources to startups and entrepreneurs, and share their facilities and assistances to each other for the conduct of different activities not only in the province, but also accross the region.

Engr. Mercado said that ICONICS will have positive implications for the students and the community in general.

“First, we want to encourage our students to engage with students from other schools in collaborative projects and address problems in the community. In this way, we can get solutions from every aspect of the society, with the use of innovation and technology. So it will turn out as collaboration, rather than competition against each other,” he said.

Boñaga said they want to publish papers and distribute it all over the country to discuss how the digital eco-system in Bicol progresses and brings forth community developments, as well as how the higher educational institutions become part of good governance and innovations, in the hopes that they would give inspiration and would adapt the principles, goals and ideas generated frommthe participants. (With reports from Marijoe Maquinaña-PIA5/Camarines Sur)