TSU is now a partner HEI of RIIC-3, THRIVE Central Luzon  

Tarlac State University has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 29, 2021 to collaborate with industries, government agencies, and higher education institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon for the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) branded as Technological Hive of Regional Innovation for a Vibrant Ecosystem or THRIVE Central Luzon. 

THRIVE Central Luzon intends to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem by establishing a local network to improve stakeholder access to technology and creating platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships that would contribute to inclusive sustainable development.  

As a partner HEI with strong research facilities, services, capabilities, and resources, TSU will function as a Regional Innovation Database Access Point and participate in capacity building and open sharing of information and databases especially to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 

Other HEIs that will serve as Database Access Points are Angeles University Foundation (AUF), Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU), Holy Angel University (HAU), Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), and Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU). 

The RIIC Central Luzon was officially launched on March 12, 2021 unifying the region’s innovation efforts under one banner with the regional offices of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as lead convenors; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) - North Luzon and Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) as industry partners; and Bulacan State University (BulSU) and Angeles University Foundation (AUF) as the academe partners through the guidance and support of USAID Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (USAID STRIDE).  

THRIVE Website Launch 

THRIVE Central Luzon officially launched its website on June 29, 2021 via Zoom and broadcasted through Facebook Live. 

The program featured the website overview, the virtual ceremonial signing of MOA for RIIC-3, and Industry eKapihan – a spotlight to the business sector starring speakers from the RIIC pilot sites in Bicol and Cagayan de Oro.  

In his welcome remarks, DOST 3 Regional Director Dr. Julius Caesar Sicat stressed that the launching of the THRIVE website is very timely during this pandemic, and at the same time, it addresses the misperception that despite the abundance of government innovation initiatives, there is disharmony.  

“COVID or no COVID, we will align efforts towards business recovery and resiliency especially for small businesses that are now in the brink of closing down. With the active presence of this regional lead convenor and facilitator of convergence, there is no way but up for our regional economy,” Dr. Sicat said. 

The website’s main feature is the Regional Innovation Database which is intended to be accessed by stakeholders, especially the MSMEs, to easily match their resource needs with suppliers and service providers. It is also hoped that this tool will be able to increase awareness and utilization of available innovation resources and intellectual capital in the region. 

According to Engr. Erwin Magsakay, BulSU’s Vice President for Research and Development and Extension, the website development was funded by DOST-3 and led by SCAD (Strategic Connectivity for Alliance and Development) Network Center. And through a mutual understanding, HEIs’ Data Managers and partner government agencies have agreed that site resources shall be collectively owned by the Region 3 RIIC under the management of BulSU. 

RIIC 

The establishment of RIIC in 2018 is pursuant to the DTI-DOST Inclusive Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap which is hoped to be a key driver for Philippine economic transformation. The centers are envisioned to be virtual and physical assemblies of different programs, facilities, and entities in the innovation space.  

As a connecting network, this collaboration will enable RIICs to pave way for the commercialization of market-oriented research and the development of outputs leading to increased regional competitiveness which will generate better employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.    

This ecosystem-wide strategy employs efforts that are grouped into three categories: 1) mapping of key innovation actors, initiatives, and efforts; 2) linking of innovation players (the government, academe, and industry) through strategic dialogue; and 3) the aligning of key programs and services towards industry needs.  

Starting with four pilot areas (Regions 5 [Bicol], 7 [Cebu], 10 [Cagayan De Oro], and 11 [Davao]), the program has now expanded to four more regions, namely Regions 9 (Zamboanga), 4a (Calabarzon), 2 (Cagayan Valley), and 3 (Central Luzon). [Jodie Andrea G. Pangilinan]