The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), held the ceremonial awarding for student incubatees under the SIBOL: Student Technology Business Incubation Program for the Agri-Aqua Sector on Thursday, July 30.
A total of 24 state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide submitted proposals to participate in the program. Each approved SUC will receive P5 million over the two-year project implementation. CHED has allocated a total of P120 million for the program, equivalent to P60 million annually, to help student innovators transform research outputs and innovative ideas into viable startups.
The participating SUCs have existing Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators under the National Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation Network of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development.
The initiative supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for government agencies to expand opportunities for Filipinos to build and grow their businesses, particularly to empower youth and women entrepreneurs. By turning student innovations into enterprises, SIBOL aims to address the needs of the agriculture and fisheries sectors, create jobs, and strengthen universities as centers of innovation.
“Every year, our students and faculty produce promising research and technologies. However, many remain as theses, capstone projects, or course requirements because they lack opportunities for further development into products, services, or startup ventures that can benefit our communities and industries,” CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said.
Each participating SUC will support 10 student innovators through mentorship, capacity-building, access to facilities, technical and financial assistance, and industry linkages. These interventions will help students strengthen their technologies, validate their ideas, and connect with potential partners and investors.
The program targets the establishment of at least 200 new local enterprises, with participating student startups expected to complete business registration by the end of the two-year implementation period.
“This is an investment in our institutions, but more importantly, it is an investment in the potential of Filipino students to become innovators and entrepreneurs,” Agrupis said.
During the ceremonial awarding of the inaugural student incubatees at the CHED Auditorium, CHED and Isabela State University (ISU) presented the program framework, incubation process, and selection criteria. ISU students also showcased technologies and prototypes with potential for commercialization.
Following the launch, CHED will conduct similar activities nationwide to recognize and engage student incubatees from other participating SUCs.
Below is the complete list of the 24 SUCs participating in the SIBOL initiative across the country:
Luzon
● Benguet State University (BSU)
● Ifugao State University (IfSU)
● Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU)
● Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
● Isabela State University (ISU)
● Central Luzon State University (CLSU)
● Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU)
● Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU)
● Cavite State University (CvSU)
● Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU)
● Western Philippines University (WPU)
● Bicol University (BU)
Visayas
● Capiz State University (CapSU)
● University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV)
● Bohol Island State University (BISU)
● Cebu Technological University (CTU)
● Visayas State University (VSU)
Mindanao
● Western Mindanao State University (WMSU)
● Central Mindanao University (CMU)
● Mindanao State University–Naawan (MSU-Naawan)
● University of Southern Mindanao (USM)
● Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU)
● University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP)
● Caraga State University (CSU)
(PR)
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