INVENTIONS of university students will be featured at the first ever Innovation Summit to be hosted by the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) on March 8.
The summit aims to address the gap between the academe and the industry, lawyer Dionel Albina, USTP's director for Innovations and Technology Solutions, said.
"The students have many promising inventions and we want to assist them by giving them a venue where they can talk with possible investors on how they can develop further the project," Albina said.
The summit will include the launching of the state university's Technology Business Incubation (TBI) which will assist start-ups or innovations that have potential to be commercialized receive support or funding.
Albina said finding the right investor who will fund the project remains a challenge for the innovators and this is why the TBI was established to address the challenges.
"The incubation will include capacity training for the students to guide them in their inventions," said Engineer Wendell Talampas, TBI director.
The summit is part of the university's new mission and vision which is now focused not only in education but also through innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Ambrosio Cultura said, vice chancellor for Research and Innovation.
Cultura said all courses of the university are also geared towards innovation and entrepreneurship.
"It is included in the curriculum, all courses no exceptions," he said.
The USTP Information and Communications Technology (ICT) prides itself for being one of the lead agencies in helping the city government streamline its services, particularly on the application and renewal of business permits, among others.
One of the innovations that will be featured on March 8, is a technology that will save one's time to schedule a doctor's appointment. The invention will allow you to set an appointment with your doctor online.
Among the guests for the summit are the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Development Foundation, Mindanao Development Authority, investors and businessmen.
It will highlight on power and energy, food technology, and information communication technology through parallel sessions slated on the whole day of March 8.