DOST Ilocos Trains Universities to Turn Research Into Market-Ready Innovations

BAUANG, La Union — Scientific research creates knowledge. Innovation creates impact. Bridging the gap between the two is the focus of a new initiative led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ilocos Region, which recently gathered university researchers and technology transfer officers to strengthen the commercialization of research across the region.

Held from June 1 to 4, 2026, at the Marand Family Resort in Bauang, La Union, the TECHGROW Ladderized Training equipped participants with practical skills to transform research outputs into technologies that can be adopted by industry, commercialized, and ultimately benefit communities.

The program forms part of DOST Ilocos Region’s broader effort to build a stronger regional innovation ecosystem where ideas developed in universities do not remain inside laboratories but become products, services, startups, and technologies that solve real-world problems.

Closing the Gap Between Research and Industry

Universities have long been the engines of research and discovery, but many promising technologies never reach the market.

Recognizing this challenge, DOST Ilocos Region designed the TECHGROW Ladderized Training to help researchers understand the complete innovation journey, from validating ideas and protecting intellectual property to assessing commercial potential and presenting technologies to potential partners and investors.

During her opening message, DOST Ilocos Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog emphasized that research delivers its greatest value only when it is continuously improved, legally protected, and successfully transferred to industries and communities that can benefit from it.

The initiative reflects a growing national push to move beyond publishing research toward translating scientific discoveries into economic and social impact.

Building Commercialization Skills

The four-day training brought together faculty-researchers and technology transfer officers from several higher education institutions across the region, including:

• Northwestern University

• WCC Aeronautical and Technological College

• Universidad de Dagupan

• University of Luzon

To provide hands-on guidance, DOST partnered with the Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging Ecosystem of Startups – National Capital Region (SCALE-NCR).

Industry practitioners and innovation mentors led the sessions, including:

• Dave Del Rosario (DLSU SFI-Animo Labs)

• John Dee Gonos (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)

• Ian Charl Nico Tubban (Adamson University)

• Hanah Pauline Delos Santos (PUP Technology Business Incubator)

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the program emphasized practical application through workshops, mentoring sessions, and collaborative discussions.

From Research to Market

Participants completed sessions covering key aspects of technology commercialization, including:

• Design Thinking

• Technology Validation

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

• Investment Readiness Level (IRL)

• Intellectual Property Protection

• Technology Valuation

• Technology Pitching

These tools help researchers evaluate whether their technologies are ready for commercialization while preparing them to engage industry partners, investors, and technology adopters.

Participants noted that the interactive workshops and mentoring sessions significantly improved their understanding of innovation management, commercialization strategies, and market readiness.

Strengthening the Regional Innovation Ecosystem

As the training concluded, Ms. Racquel M. Espiritu, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Services, speaking on behalf of Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Services Decth-1180 P. Libunao, encouraged participants to apply what they had learned within their respective institutions and continue fostering innovation beyond the classroom.

The training is part of DOST Ilocos Region’s continuing implementation of the TECHGROW Project, which aims to strengthen technology transfer systems and accelerate the commercialization of research and development outputs throughout the region.

Why It Matters

Northern Luzon has no shortage of talented researchers. The greater challenge is ensuring that their innovations reach the people and industries that need them.

Programs such as TECHGROW help universities develop the capabilities required to move discoveries beyond academic publications and into businesses, public services, and commercial ventures.

As more higher education institutions strengthen their technology transfer offices and commercialization strategies, Northern Luzon moves closer to building an innovation ecosystem where research generates not only new knowledge but also startups, new industries, and economic opportunities for the region.

Original Source

This story is based on information released by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ilocos Region regarding the TECHGROW Ladderized Training held from June 1–4, 2026, in Bauang, La Union, under the TECHGROW Project.