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| (Image Source: Batangas State University, The National Engineering University) |
Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), hosted the culminating forum of the CHED–DOST Innovation Summit 2026 last September 28, 2026 at the Pablo Borbon Campus, gathering senior officials and leaders from government, science and technology, higher education, trade, diplomacy, finance, and the research community.
The Summit brought together Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis with H.E. Manuel A. J. Teehankee, Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, and H.E. Bernard Faustino M. Dy, Philippine Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein, joining virtually. The culminating forum forms part of a joint CHED–DOST initiative to identify, validate, prepare, and position promising technologies from Philippine higher education institutions for commercialization, investment, global markets, and international engagements. The initiative began with a national call covering three priority sectors: advanced electronics and semiconductor systems, agri-food and blue economy innovations, and biopharma and health technologies. Also joining the Summit were DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr.; CHED Commissioners Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, and Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III; and CHED Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Benitez-Jaro. Representatives from the government and financial sectors included Land Bank of the Philippines Vice President and Southwest Luzon Branches Group Head Virginia C. Limbo and Assistant Vice President Vicente T. Hernandez, DOST-TAPI (Technology Application and Promotion Institute) Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, DOST MIMAROPA Regional Director Dr. Bernardo Sepeda, and DOST-Batangas Provincial Science and Technology Director Felina C. Malabanan, together with officials from DOST regional offices, university leaders, researchers, and institutional partners.
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| (Image Source: Batangas State University, The National Engineering University) |
Moving Philippine innovation toward global competitiveness
In his welcome remarks, BatStateU President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo underscored the role of universities in producing scientific and engineering talent and moving research closer to actual use, stating, “Universities are where much of the country’s scientific and engineering talent is developed. They are where many new technologies begin. But producing knowledge cannot be the end of the innovation process. Research must be tested against actual needs. Technologies must move beyond prototypes. Promising ideas need pathways toward adoption, investment, production, and scale.” The focus on translating research into practical and economic value continued in the opening address of DOST Assistant Secretary Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr. themed “Why Are We Here: From Philippine Innovation To Global Competitiveness”. Dr. Juanillo noted that the Philippines already has a broad base of universities, researchers, laboratories, talent, and publicly supported research. He pointed to the opportunity to build on these assets by creating technologies and enterprises, generating intellectual property, attracting investment, creating high-value jobs, and strengthening industries.
Opening pathways to global markets
The discussion then progressed from economic potential to what Philippine technologies need to enter international markets. H.E. Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee outlined three areas Philippine technologies must address: standards, intellectual property, and market access. “The lesson for us is simple: design to international standards from the very beginning, invest in testing and certification at home, and keep the regulatory readiness maps from day one, not as paperwork but as passports,” said Ambassador Teehankee. He pointed to the growing role of digital trade, electronic commerce, services, and emerging technology regulation in determining how innovations cross borders. From market entry, the focus expanded to the country’s role in global innovation. Secretary Solidum called for stronger links among universities, government, industry, and international partners so Philippine research can move from discovery to actual use, emphasizing, “The Philippines should not merely consume global knowledge and technology. We should contribute to it.” In line with DOST’s Agham Na Ramdam thrust, he stressed that science, technology and innovation must directly improve the lives of Filipinos – providing solutions and opening opportunities. “What we are building here at the Innovation Summit cannot belong to DOST alone, CHED alone, our universities alone, or our industries alone. It must belong to the country, our beloved Philippines.” Secretary Solidum called for an innovation system where researchers can move from discovery to application, industry can draw both talent and technology from universities, and international partners can see the Philippines as a contributor, not simply as a market. Strengthening the country’s innovation capacity, according to Dr. Agrupis, requires sustained investment in university research and stronger links between research and community needs. Chairperson Agrupis connected CHED’s support for research and innovation with the Commission’s ACHIEVE Agenda, particularly its Harmonized SDG-based Research and Innovation Agenda. “Our universities are the heart and soul of the country’s research and innovation,” said Dr. Agrupis. She stressed that research investment must create value for society through technologies, stronger industries, better public services, and solutions to national needs. From strengthening the country’s research and innovation base, the program turned to opportunities for Philippine technologies on international platforms. H.E. Ambassador Bernard Faustino M. Dy focused on the global positioning of Philippine innovation and the opportunities linked to Davos 2027. “Looking ahead to Davos 2027, we have an opportunity to bring the Philippine innovation story to one of the world’s most important global platforms for dialogue among governments, business leaders, academia, and civil society,” said Ambassador Dy. The public CHED–DOST call states that selected technologies may be curated for potential presentation in high-level global engagements including platforms and side events associated with the 2027 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This places the Summit within a broader effort to bring promising Philippine technologies before international markets, investors, and partners without presuming their eventual selection for Davos. Bringing the discussion back to the purpose of the initiative, CHED Commissioner Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino said in his closing remarks that the Summit should lead to more than the exhibition of university technologies.
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| (Image Source: Batangas State University, The National Engineering University) |
The culminating forum underscored that advancing Philippine innovation requires more than developing technologies — it requires building pathways that move them from research laboratories to communities, industries, markets, and the global stage. As the CHED–DOST initiative moves forward in identifying and preparing promising technologies for commercialization and international engagement, BatStateU reaffirms its role as a platform where research, engineering, industry, and partnerships converge to address national needs and pursue global opportunities. Through its continuing work in innovation, technology development, and industry collaboration, the University remains committed to helping build a Philippine innovation ecosystem that moves research closer to adoption, scale, and impact.
