THE MARIANO Marcos State University will soon have its own 3D printing laboratory.

The university said its president, Shirley Argupis, and other university officials met with OmniFab, Inc. 3D Technologies to discuss the setting up of a Fab Lab including a 3D printing machinery to be used in building low-cost houses.

“MMSU seeks to utilize the Fab Lab’s digital fabrication services in the creation of automated tools and machines that could ease farming activities, a proposed project to be titled Fabrication and Automation Research for the Mechanization of Agriculture,” the school said in a statement.

“Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, vice-president for research and extension, and the civil engineering department, chaired by Engr. Marlon Acoba, will serve as the key personnel of the project,” it added.

The laboratory is seen to assist farmer and MSMEs in on-farm activities, food processing, food preservation, product testing, and packaging that will uplift the lives of rural communities, MMSU said.

The project will be spearheaded by MMSU with possible partnership with private and government agencies, such as Department of Science and Technology, National Housing Authority, and National Economic Development Authority.

“The lab will definitely benefit our civil engineering program,” Acoba said.