SLSU, MMSU share best practices in Research Commercialization through virtual benchmarking

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) conducted a virtual benchmarking session with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), represented by its University Innovation and Technology Support Office (UITSO) and Bannuar Technology Business Incubator (TBI), to exchange best practices in technology commercialization and incubation management on April 6, 2026, via Zoom.

Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, opened the program with a welcome message, underscoring the importance of cultivating an inquisitive mindset in advancing institutional innovation. She likened the University’s ongoing efforts to laying down the foundational tracks for research and development, noting that the benchmarking activity serves as a complementary step in learning how to effectively “drive the engine” of commercialization along these tracks—ensuring that innovation outputs are translated into smooth, sustainable, and viable commercialization practices.

Engr. Artbellson B. Mamuri, Chief of UITSO, presented MMSU’s successful initiatives in commercializing university-generated technologies. He emphasized the role of structured innovation incentives in encouraging faculty and researchers to actively participate in the commercialization process, thereby translating research outputs into viable market-driven products.

Prof. Armie C. Sabugo, Director of the Innovation and Technology Directorate, discussed the institutional systems and protocols that underpin MMSU’s TBI operations. She highlighted key strategies such as embedding entrepreneurial culture within the university through specialized student organizations and aligning incubation efforts with homegrown industries, particularly within the creative sector. These approaches, she noted, have strengthened both student engagement and community relevance. Their goal is to be the leading business incubator in Region I, explaining the incredible strides they have achieved as an institution.

Meanwhile, Ms. Lei Frances Ribac, Chief of the TBI Office, presented the milestones of MMSU’s incubation programs, including the expansion into two TBIs to diversify industry coverage. Currently, many of their incubatees are validating their products in the market. Their incubators have collectively supported over 30 incubatees and generated more than ₱2.7 million in income, demonstrating the growing impact of MMSU’s innovation ecosystem. She also introduced the facilities of their TBI Office, which contains incubation rooms and shared labs, revealing the spaces required for sustainable business incubation operations.

During the open forum, participants discussed key operational insights. On mentorship, Prof. Sabugo underscored the importance of providing merit-based incentives for internal mentors, while also leveraging external experts as consultants, some of whom render services through existing memoranda of agreement. On promoting an entrepreneurial culture, both Prof. Sabugo and Ms. Ribac emphasized the value of conducting local and campus innovation caravans, strengthening partnerships such as those with Wadhwani Foundation, and integrating technopreneurship concepts into academic curricula. They also noted that while such initiatives broaden participation, incubatees are still selected through rigorous viability assessments.

Additional insights included the adoption of micro-credentialing programs and the strategic use of innovation consortia and networks to enhance institutional capacity and collaboration further.

Concluding the productive exchange, Engr. Khorina A. Tablada, Director of Research and Innovation, expressed the University’s sincere appreciation to Mariano Marcos State University for generously sharing its expertise and best practices. The engagement reaffirmed Southern Leyte State University’s commitment to strengthening its innovation and commercialization initiatives by adopting relevant strategies and fostering sustained collaboration with partner institutions.