MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is investing ₱120 million over the next two years to help student innovators turn research and academic projects into sustainable agribusiness and aquaculture startups, strengthening the country's innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurship sector.

The funding will support the Student Technology Business Incubation Program for the Agri-Aqua Sector, an initiative designed to commercialize promising technologies developed by students in state universities and colleges (SUCs). The program also supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s agenda of expanding entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly for young Filipinos and women.

Under the program, 24 state universities and colleges nationwide have been selected to participate. Each institution will receive ₱5 million, with CHED allocating ₱60 million annually through the Higher Education Development Fund, amounting to a total investment of ₱120 million for the program's two-year implementation.

The participating universities already operate 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 (DOST-PCAARRD).

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial innovation by helping student-developed technologies reach the marketplace.

"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," Agrupis said.

Each participating SUC will mentor 10 student innovators, providing entrepreneurship training, access to research facilities, technical and financial support, business development assistance, and industry linkages. The program will also help validate technologies and connect student innovators with prospective investors and business partners.

By the end of the two-year implementation period, CHED aims to establish at least 200 new locally registered startup enterprises, strengthening the country's innovation-driven economy while creating new opportunities in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Agrupis described the initiative as an investment not only in higher education institutions but also in the future of Filipino innovation.

"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," she said.

Participating State Universities and Colleges

The 12 participating SUCs in Luzon are:

• Benguet State University

• Ifugao State University

• Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

• Mariano Marcos State University

• Isabela State University

• Central Luzon State University

• Bataan Peninsula State University

• Pampanga State Agricultural University

• Cavite State University

• Laguna State Polytechnic University

• Western Philippines University

• Bicol University

The five participating SUCs in the Visayas are:

• Capiz State University

• University of the Philippines Visayas

• Bohol Island State University

• Cebu Technological University

• Visayas State University

The seven participating SUCs in Mindanao are:

• Western Mindanao State University

• Central Mindanao University

• Mindanao State University–Naawan

• University of Southern Mindanao

• Sultan Kudarat State University

• University of Southeastern Philippines

• Caraga State University

The program is expected to accelerate the commercialization of homegrown technologies while fostering a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs capable of developing innovative solutions for the country's agriculture and aquaculture industries.

NPO News Team I PNA-CHED-PR