By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Ensuring sustainable sharing of research and development (R&D) innovations, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) continues to train the state colleges and universities (SUCs) in Region I on how to commercialize their technologies.  

Along with its technology acceleration initiatives which started last year, the University Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) virtually trained 18 technology generators from Region I SUCs on technology commercialization on July 19-23 and 26. 

The participants come from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), North Luzon Philippines State College (NLPSC), and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) in Ilocos Sur; Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union; Pangasinan State University (PSU) in Pangasinan; and MMSU. 

Dr. Dionisio Bucao, IP-TBM regional project leader, said the six-day activity aims to train the SUCs’ faculty-researchers in preparing marketing and business plans of their patented technologies; in calculating the value of their patents using income, cost, and market methods; in pitching their technologies and forging partnerships with potential investors for product marketing. 

Resource speakers in the training were Prof. Mishael Joy S. Barrera of MMSU; Prof. Christian Thom Tabisola of PSU; Prof. Kenneth G. Bayani of DMMMSU; Dr. Clarissa Yvonne Domingo of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU); and Dr. Pablo J. Rafael of the CLSU’s Commercial and Business Development Office. Dr. Lily Ann Lando, a freelance training professional, serves as the motivational coach for technology pitching.

Dr. Bucao said the participants will present their technologies to potential investors during the Technology Pitch Day on July 26. Those who will present the best technology pitches and posters will be given cash prizes and certificates. 

Presenters of best pitches will receive Php 5,000 (1st place), Php 3,500 (2nd place), and Php 2,000 (3rd place). Meanwhile, the following cash prizes will be given to those who will present the best posters: Php 3,000 (1st), Php 2,000 (2nd), and Php 1,000 (3rd). 

The training-workshop is part of the MMSU-led project on Enhancing IP-TBM offices among the member-agencies of the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC). UNP, NLSPC, ISPSC, DMMMSU and PSU are its partners.  

In 2020, MMSU launched the IP Master Class for Region I to jumpstart the second phase of the nationwide project, Support to the University’s Strategies in Technology Acceleration Initiatives by Nurturing (SUSTAIN) the IP-TBM. (StratCom)