The National Innovation Council (NIC) visited the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Miagao campus for the stakeholders’ consultation meeting for the project “Mapping and Assessment of Government-Funded Innovation Infrastructure,” on Oct. 9, 2024.
The NIC, represented by personnel from member agencies – the central and Western Visayas regional offices of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the United Nations Development Programme, visited the Coastline 5023 FTBI; UPV Regional Research Center – including the Philippine Genome Center Visayas, Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, and other facilities housed inside the center; and the Digital Innovation Center (DIC) Network Operation Center and its network facilities.
The group from NIC included Mr. James Russel De Vera and Mr. Ijy James Lomibao of the NEDA Central Office; Ms. Ira Pahila of NEDA-6; and Mr. Rosstyn Fallorina of UNDP. They met with Prof. Rhea Subong-Espina, DIC Director; Dr. Mary Grace Sedanza, RRC Director; Dr. Victor Marco Emmanuel Ferriols, Institute of Aquaculture Director and former RRC Director; Ms. Milyn Leghid, Project Leader of the UPV Coastline 5023 FTBI; and Ms. Christine Faith Germinal, TTBDO Technology Transfer Officer.
NEDA is conducting the said research project to map public innovation infrastructure in the country to provide further a basis for the policies and programs needed by the NIC member agencies to achieve the goal of the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) 2023-2032 and Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
The NIASD 2023-2032 specifies innovation infrastructure as one of the levers to support establishing a dynamic innovation ecosystem and transform the country into a smart and innovative Philippines.
The team from NIC visited other state universities and colleges and private higher education institutions earlier on the said date. (With sources from UPV DIC and NEDA)