THE MARIANO Marcos State University will soon implement a two-year technology business incubator project to help develop enterprises and generate jobs in the Ilocos region.

The project was the result of a P12.7-million grant from the Department of Science and Technology.

The school and the DOST signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Bannuar Technology Business Incubator project.

Project leader Professor Armie Sabugo said the project aims “to establish a functional TBI facility which will help startups.”

The project also seeks to promote an entrepreneurial culture within and outside the university, and will connect students, faculty, researchers, alumni, entrepreneurs, business owners, non-government organizations and financial institutions.

Members of the project team are Engineers Artbellson Mamuri and Abegail Ruiz, Prof. Reena Gilaine Barot, Tienna Valdez of MMSU, and Valiant Nestor Navarrete, an entrepreneur.

The MMSU is one of the 27 higher education institutions which signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the Handholding Starting Incubators from HEIs for Readiness towards Innovation and Technopreneurship Preparatory and Skills Acceleration for TBI Managers Optimizing Regional Startup Ecosystem.

“The two-year structured and immersive capacity-building program aims to provide training for future technology business incubator managers in universities and colleges,” it said.