Officials of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) inaugurated the Social Innovations and Partnership (SIP) Hub located at the Science and Technology (S&T) Park, and the newly-refurbished Teatro Ilocandia last November 25.

University President Shirley C. Agrupis led the blessing and dedication of the facilities as part of the celebration of her third presidential investiture anniversary, dubbed “Triumphant Together at 3.”

Dr. Agrupis said the creation of SIP Hub and renovation of Teatro Ilocandia are part of the MMSU’s commitment to achieve a vibrant and engaging, culturally-focused university campus. 

She hopes that the SIP Hub will serve its purpose of creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Ilocos Norte and in the region. 

The facility intends to showcase the MMSU’s culture of hospitality synergized in its four-fold functions – instruction, research, extension and production. In line with this, it will also feature the University’s patented food technologies such as black garlic, sandcooked-peanut, kamangeg flour and cheesecake, and dragon fruit pink noodles, among others. 

Dr. Agrupis is also happy “that we have transformed the Teatro Ilocandia amidst all the struggles that we encountered during its renovation.”

With an allocated budget of Php 30 million, the refurbishment of the building started in 2019 and is one of the priority infrastructure projects of the present MMSU leadership. – by Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. (StratCom)