USTP, a hub for technopreneurship, digital technology

• Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012271
• Friday, September 7, 2018

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Cagayan de Oro (CDO) campus has opened two hubs: technopreneurship and digital technology to kick start the development of innovation ecosystem in the region.

In celebration of their second anniversary on August 15, USTP CDO Chancellor Dr. Ruth G. Cabahug disclosed during Talakayan sa PIA, they had been granted Php12 million by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to put up techoprenuership center that provides capability building to faculty, among others.

Further, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has also granted them Php12 million to establish digital technology hub. This houses 20 incubates or potential startups in the city for their ideas to become full-fledged businesses.

Vanessa V. Ascaño, vice president of Finance Planning and Development, said USTP aims to become a nationally recognized science and technology university providing the vital link to education and economy.

Although there are perceived gaps such as jobs skills mismatch, innovation lagging behind ASEAN neighbors, Ascaño said, “We are trying to make a difference in this part of the country.”

She said, the change started when USTP was born two years ago.

There was an amalgamation of two universities namely the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) in Claveria Misamis Oriental and the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST). MUST was composed of five campuses: CDO, Jasaan, Oroquieta and Panaon and the main campus will be in Alubijid soon to rise, she said.

Now, all of these is under one name: USTP.

In terms of infrastructure projects, Lawyer Jonathan S. Oche, vice president for Administration and Legal Affairs, said the biggest challenge is the laying of the foundation of the main campus, in the 292 hectares property in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

Also, he said two Science and Technology parks will be built. One in the main campus in Alubijid and one in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, ongoing infra projects in the CDO campus include a P 80 M three-storey technology building to be finished in September.

Also this year, he said, will be the start of bidding of two more projects: Faculty Learning Center worth Php320M and Sports Complex and Residences worth Php250million.

Oche also said they are going to award Flood Protection System in CDO campus worth almost Php90million. This year, a bidding will also be called for the construction of Design Engineering and Fabrication Laboratory worth Php33M.

USTP celebrated their founding anniversary on August 16-17 with the theme, “Strengthening the Role of USTP in Advancing Inclusive Economic Growth.”