SALIKSYNC: First National IMPACT Conference
The inaugural National IP Management Program for Academic Institutions Commercializing Technologies (IMPACT) Conference, organized by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEETRD) and branded as SALIKSYNC, gathered innovators, educators, researchers, and policymakers nationwide to advance information and expertise switch efforts in the Philippines. Held on November 5-6, 2025, in Bacolod City, the convention centered on the theme “From IMPACT to NXT Horizons: Surging the Next Wave of Knowledge and Technology Transfer.” It highlighted the very important want to transfer analysis past tutorial publication towards creating significant, tangible advantages for communities, industries, and society at giant.
Higher training establishments (HEIs) from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been actively represented on the occasion.
Saint Louis University (SLU), beneath the management of Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, the place innovation is deeply embedded in its mission of reworking lives via training, analysis, and service, actively participated in the occasion. The University was represented by Felina P. Espique, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Richel L. Lamadrid, PhD, Research, Innovation and Sustainable Extension (RISE) Center Director; Laarni B. Natividad, PhD, Research Capacitation and Services Officer; and Prof. Maria Corazon Ocampo, SEA Faculty and Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Advocate. This illustration displays SLU’s robust dedication to fostering a tradition of innovation, collaboration, and societal influence via analysis and expertise switch.
The First National IMPACT Conference started with the Entrance of Colors, Invocation, and a energetic competition dance carried out by the Masskara dancers from Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, adopted by a welcome message from Hon. Greg G. Gasataya, Mayor of Bacolod City.
The opening message was delivered by Renato U. Solidum, Jr., PhD, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He underscored the significance of reworking analysis from tutorial outputs into real-world options, asking, “What good is a breakthrough if it never breaks through?” Dr. Solidum additionally highlighted the IMPACT of DOST-PCIEERD, emphasizing that analysis is a public funding and should lead to public good.
Support for the convention got here from leaders resembling Carmelo V. Ambut, PhD, Vice President for Research and Extension at Iloilo Science and Technology University, who burdened that IMPACT NXT goals to elevate Filipino improvements into world-class options, fostering innovation in the spirit of “Bayanihan.” Atty. Julianna B. Carbon, President of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the necessity to develop extra information and expertise switch professionals to bridge the hole between analysis and commercialization.
Key shows highlighted worldwide and native fashions of expertise switch. Chalermpol Tuchinda, PhD, Chair of the Association of University Technology Managers of ASEAN, mentioned ASEAN approaches for structuring college spin-offs and startups. Mr. Michael Mbogoro, Head of the Technology Transfer Section of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), shared how WIPO’s world initiatives guarantee analysis generates lasting social and financial influence. Atty. Christopher Cruz, President of the Association of Technology Transfer Professionals of the Philippines, likened professionalizing expertise switch to conducting an orchestra, aligning individuals, insurance policies, and function to foster innovation. Lastly, Irene Dal Poz, PhD, Managing Consultant of Oxentia Ltd., mentioned how the UK’s innovation ecosystem efficiently transforms concepts into thriving enterprises.
A key spotlight of the convention was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding involving college presidents and analysis institute administrators. Thirty-four (34) IMPACT grantee establishments formalized their partnership. SLU was among the many official recipients, with Dr. Espique signing on behalf of the University. This milestone marks an important step towards advancing the following section of the mission, IMPACT NXT, geared toward constructing stronger expertise switch places of work to create analysis with significant influence for communities.
SLU’s achievements in expertise switch have been additional acknowledged, because the University ranked seventh amongst HEIs with Technology Licensing Agreements signed from 2018 to 2024, in accordance to the newest DOST report. This recognition underscores SLU’s constant engagement in innovation and analysis commercialization initiatives.
Among the showcased analysis outputs in the convention was CONTACTS, a mission developed in 2021 by a gaggle of scholars from the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA). CONTACTS proved notably worthwhile through the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, offering digital well being monitoring and contact tracing capabilities when such instruments have been important for public well being and security, demonstrating how student-led improvements can have quick societal advantages.
The First National IMPACT Conference marked a big milestone in strengthening the nation’s innovation ecosystem. It offered an important platform for collaboration among the many academe, authorities, and trade to advance expertise switch, analysis commercialization, and innovation-driven partnerships.
SLU’s participation reaffirms its robust dedication to analysis utilization and innovation. Through the IMPACT NXT Project, SLU continues to make sure that science and analysis serve society, driving progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
9th National TBI Summit 2025: The Innovation Archipelago
Leaders, innovators, and changemakers from throughout the nation gathered from 7-8 November 2025 in Bacolod City for the 9th Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Summit. The occasion introduced collectively college heads, TBI managers, startups, and innovation companions to strengthen the nation’s innovation ecosystem.
Themed “The Innovation Archipelago: Connecting Ecosystems, Expanding Horizons”, the summit targeted on connecting areas, constructing partnerships, and selling collaboration. More than only a convention, it was a celebration of unity, management, and the shared objective of making a future pushed by innovation.
The summit opened with a message from Renato U. Solidum, Jr., PhD, DOST Secretary. He emphasised the vital function of startups and incubators in growing a powerful and sustainable innovation system throughout the areas. Dr. Solidum additionally mentioned that the way forward for Philippine innovation is dependent upon cooperation amongst universities, industries, and communities.
In the keynote speak of Enrico C. Paringit, PhD, Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, mentioned “Inclusivity and Sustainability in Startups: Regional Goals.” He defined how science, expertise, and innovation help regional growth via applications resembling:
- Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEIRIT) Program, which helps universities and startups flip concepts into companies, supporting over 1,691 startups;
- Regional Startup Enabler for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program, which builds regional innovation consortia linking incubators, universities, and authorities places of work;
- Startup Grant Fund, which provides direct help to early-stage innovators; and
- Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) Program, which helps women-led enterprises via mentoring, expertise use, and funding.
One of the principle highlights of the summit was the Renewal of Commitment of HEIRIT TBIs. During the ceremony, 59 college and TBI logos have been displayed on display as company and college heads confirmed their renewed help for innovation. The exercise symbolized years of development, partnership, and dedication to strengthening the nation’s innovation panorama.
SLU was among the many 59 universities that renewed their dedication through the summit. SLU was represented by Dr. Espique. This milestone highlights SLU’s ongoing dedication to advancing analysis, innovation, and expertise that create optimistic group influence and contribute to nationwide growth.
The 9th TBI Summit ended with a powerful name for cooperation and shared progress, reminding all individuals that the power of the Philippine innovation ecosystem lies in its unity, inclusivity, and dedication to sustainable development.
In line with this imaginative and prescient, SLU’s energetic participation in the summit displays its agency dedication to selling teamwork, innovation, and sustainability throughout areas. By supporting research-based startups and enhancing its expertise switch applications, SLU continues to assist construct an inclusive and resilient innovation group and stays devoted to reworking concepts into significant options that handle group wants and contribute to the nationwide objective of utilizing science, expertise, and innovation to obtain lasting development and growth.
This participation aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, notably, Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). (Article and Photos from Laarni Natividad, RISE Center)