The Department of Trade and Industry – Competitiveness Bureau (DTI-CB) held the 6th Inclusive Innovation Conference (ICC) at the Batangas State University recently with the theme, “Leadership in Innovation: Key to Sustained Competitiveness and Economic Growth”.
With the rapid adoption of technology and the rise of tech-centric programs, the IIC 2022 aimed to define the kinds of innovation that drive growth and help the country meet its developmental and economic objectives, elevate innovation to the top agenda as a foundation of reform and organizational change, and set governance performance metrics for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“The talk of the government approach has now evolved to an all-society approach to innovation and entrepreneurship. University and colleges are crucial in orchestrating a multi-actor network university-industry collaboration are one of the main sources of external knowledge and technology for companies.”
The IIC gathered government officials from partner agencies, high-ranking members of the State Universities and Colleges, Startups, Startup Enablers, and supporters of the DTI’s Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy, like the United States Agency for International Development, to rally their collective capabilities and jointly articulate their intent and actions to boost the country’s innovation strategies and sustain cohesive innovation programs at the local, regional, and national levels.
It served as a venue where the stakeholders solidified existing partnerships and bridged the gap between the industry and academe on our road to competitiveness.
Prioritizing economic recovery, the speakers and breakout session panelists highlighted the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and the role universities play in encouraging innovation and driving technology adoption to answer pressing socio-economic issues.
“The talk of the government approach has now evolved to an all-society approach to innovation and entrepreneurship. University and colleges are crucial in orchestrating a multi-actor network university-industry collaboration are one of the main sources of external knowledge and technology for companies,” Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
“Strong government-academe-industry collaboration is the key driver of industry 4.0 and digital transformation strategy,” Lopez added.
“Upscaling technology and scientific research are key to achieving a more robust (agriculture) industry.”
Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar supports this by adding that “upscaling technology and scientific research are key to achieving a more robust (agriculture) industry.”
Dar underscored that “Universities and colleges provide enabling support mechanisms and technologies both for key industry players and for students and researchers with the potential to transform the industry.”
As such, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato De La Peña called for the need for investments, “we need to invest in Growth; we need to invest in science and technology facilities and human resources.”
