Archives for December 2025

 Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) has formally joined Aklan State University (ASU) and key regional partners in signing a Memorandum of Understanding and launching TechNest Aklan, a new Technology Business Incubator supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on December 22, 2025, at Aklan State University.  The event marks a coordinated push to strengthen research, innovation, and tech-driven entrepreneurship across Aklan and neighboring provinces.

TechNest Aklan will provide start-up incubation services, mentoring, prototype development support, access to DOST-funded facilities and grants, and linkages to industry and investors. University students, faculty researchers, and community entrepreneurs are expected to benefit from technical assistance, business development training, and commercialization pathways for innovations in agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, health technologies, and digital services.

Representatives of ISAT U, ASU, DOST, local government units, and private-sector collaborators emphasized the regional development potential of the partnership. Organizers said the incubator aims to translate campus research into market-ready solutions, create jobs, and stimulate inclusive economic growth in the Visayas. The MOU formalizes commitments on shared facilities, mentorship networks, intellectual property management, and coordinated outreach to barangay- and municipal-level innovators.

“By combining university research capacity, DOST technical support, and industry linkages, TechNest Aklan will help our inventors and entrepreneurs move faster from idea to impact,” said an ISAT U spokesperson at the launch. ASU officials highlighted the incubator’s role in supporting student entrepreneurship and community-centered technology adoption.

DOST representatives outlined funding streams and technical programs that will back early-stage product development, testing, and commercialization. Planned activities include hackathons, sector-focused acceleration cohorts, maker-space access, and joint faculty-student research projects tied to local value chains such as agri-processing and eco-tourism tech.

Local government units and private partners committed to providing internship placements, pilot sites, and avenues for market testing. Stakeholders noted that sustaining the incubator will depend on robust university-industry collaboration, ongoing DOST support, and active participation from the regional innovation ecosystem.

TechNest Aklan is scheduled to begin intake for its first incubation cohort later this year, with outreach and application details to be released through participating universities and the DOST regional office. Organizers say the initiative is a step toward building a self-sustaining regional innovation hub that leverages academic expertise to meet real community needs.

The Public Information and Communications Office (PICO) of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) has been conferred the Best Performing Information Office for 2025 during the Western Visayas Regional Information Officers Summit held at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center, Bacolod City, on December 18, 2025

The award, presented by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), recognizes PICO’s outstanding performance in institutional communication, public information dissemination, and creative initiatives that have strengthened ISAT U’s visibility and engagement across the region.

PICO Director Dr. Heinz B. Gumaquil received the award on behalf of the office. In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Gumaquil expressed gratitude to the PIA and underscored the collective effort behind the achievement.

“This recognition is a win for ISAT U and a validation of the creativity and dedication of the entire PICO family,” Dr. Gumaquil stated.

The accolade affirms ISAT U’s commitment to excellence in public service communication and highlights the university’s role as a leading institution in Western Visayas.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) was honored with the CapDev Accelerator “KINANG” Award during the “Gabi ng Pasasalamat” held at the Manila Hotel on December 10, 2025.

The award, presented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Academy (LGA), recognizes development partners who have significantly contributed to DILG’s organizational goals following a nationwide selection process.

The CapDev Accelerator “KINANG” Award underscores ISAT U’s significant role in advancing local governance excellence in Western Visayas and its alignment with national development goals.

The recognition comes as ISAT U continues to expand its engagement with local government partners, with plans to develop more research and extension initiatives and capacity-building programs that will further strengthen governance practices across the region.

ISAT U currently serves as the Lead Convenor of the Western Visayas Local Governance Resource Consortium (WVLGRC). Under this role, the university spearheaded pioneering research initiatives for DILG’s Decentralization, Local Governance and Reform Advocacy Program, producing two comprehensive research studies covering the entire Western Visayas region.

Dr. Heinz B. Gumaquil, Director of the Public Information and Communications Office, received the award on behalf of the university. He was accompanied by LGOO VI Medel Espinosa of DILG Region VI.

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) has proudly secured its place among the nation’s top-performing schools in the September and November 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (Elementary Level). With an impressive 92.68% passing rate, ISAT U ranked 6th nationwide, a remarkable achievement that underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence and quality teacher education.

This milestone reflects the collective dedication, perseverance, and passion of ISAT U’s teacher education graduates, faculty, and administrators. Their hard work has not only brought honor to the university but also strengthened its reputation as a premier institution for nurturing future educators.

ISAT U’s consistent performance in national licensure examinations highlights the effectiveness of its programs and the university’s unwavering focus on producing competent, compassionate, and innovative teachers. This recognition serves as an inspiration for current students and a reminder of the institution’s vital role in shaping the future of Philippine education.

University officials expressed gratitude to the ISAT U community, especially to the College of Education, emphasizing that this achievement is a shared victory. It demonstrates the synergy between students’ determination, faculty’s guidance, and administrators’ support — all working together to uphold the university’s mission of excellence.

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) celebrated Araw ng Kalalakihan 2025 through activities promoting men’s health, wellness, and recognition within the university community on November 19, 2025.

As part of the celebration, laboratory tests and reflexology services were made available to participants. These services provided an opportunity for men to monitor their health, relax, and prioritize their overall well-being.

The activity also served as a meaningful expression of appreciation for the contributions of men in the community. It emphasized that regular health checks, preventive care, and wellness activities are essential to maintaining a healthy and productive life.

Through this initiative, ISAT U reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a caring, inclusive, and health-conscious community. The celebration highlighted the importance of supporting men’s physical and mental well-being while encouraging a culture in which seeking care is recognized as a sign of responsibility and strength.

Members of the community who have not yet participated are encouraged to visit the designated service area and avail themselves of the available laboratory tests and reflexology services.

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VI (DOST VI), in collaboration with Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) and the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), conducted a four-day training workshop titled “Tech Transfer Track: Pathways to Commercialization,” which started on November 25, 2026 at the Small Ville 21, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The workshop brought together innovators, researchers, and startup founders seeking to transform research outputs and emerging technologies into viable, market-ready solutions. It provided participants with practical knowledge and tools for navigating the journey from laboratory development to commercial application.

Throughout the four-day program, participants explored key areas of technology transfer, including intellectual property protection, technology valuation, market readiness, and commercialization strategies. The sessions highlighted the importance of safeguarding innovations, determining their commercial value, assessing market potential, and developing effective pathways for bringing technologies to intended users and industries.

The workshop also helped participants better understand how technical innovations can be aligned with market needs. Through expert-led discussions and interactive activities, they gained insights into evaluating the commercial potential of their technologies, identifying opportunities for industry adoption, and developing strategies for sustainable growth.

By strengthening the commercialization capabilities of researchers and entrepreneurs, the initiative supports the creation of solutions that can generate economic value and address pressing needs in communities and industries.

The collaboration among DOST VI, ISAT U, and DOST-TAPI reflects their shared commitment to cultivating a dynamic innovation ecosystem in Western Visayas. Through capacity-building initiatives such as the Tech Transfer Track, the partner institutions continue to empower local innovators and accelerate the movement of promising technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace.

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), through its Safety, Security, Environmental and Disaster Mitigation Management Office (SSEDMMO), conducted the two-day seminar titled “Safety and Ready-Building: A Smarter, More Secure Campus Community” for university faculty, staff, and students on November 26-27, 2025.

The initiative was organized in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Special Action Force (SAF), 62nd Special Action Company (62 SAC), and the City Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit (CECU) of Iloilo City and the Public Information and Communications Office (PICO).

The seminar directly addressed recent security concerns and reported bomb threats across Iloilo City. It equipped participants with essential knowledge and practical guidance on threat awareness, emergency preparedness, appropriate incident response, and coordination with law enforcement and specialized security units.

Through expert-led discussions and preparedness activities, members of the ISAT U community learned how to recognize potential security risks, follow established safety protocols, and respond calmly and responsibly during emergencies. The training also emphasized the importance of vigilance, accurate communication, and cooperation in preventing panic and protecting lives.

The activity reinforced the shared responsibility of administrators, faculty members, staff, students, and security partners in creating a safer and more resilient academic environment. It also strengthened coordination between the university and government agencies responsible for public safety, emergency response, explosive ordnance disposal, and threat assessment.

ISAT U remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting every member of its community. Through continuing education, institutional preparedness, and strong partnerships with public safety agencies, the University seeks to build a campus culture that is informed, proactive, resilient, and ready to respond to emerging security challenges.

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT University) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) strengthened their academic partnership through the ceremonial signing of a major agreement aimed at advancing smart learning, digital innovation, and future institutional collaboration on November 20, 2025, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The signing, held at the UTM Vice Chancellor’s residence, marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the two institutions. It affirmed their shared commitment to pursuing initiatives that promote technology-enhanced education, knowledge exchange, and innovative learning environments.

Representing ISAT University President Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre Jr. during the signing was Dr. Ramil G. Lumauag, Campus Administrator of ISAT University Dumangas Campus, while UTM was represented by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim.

The ISAT University delegation began the day’s activities with a productive meeting with the UTM International team. The discussion explored opportunities for cooperation and strengthened the foundation for future academic and institutional engagements.

The delegation also toured UTM’s HyFlex classroom and the innovative showroom at its Faculty of Computing. The visit provided valuable insights into flexible learning technologies, digital infrastructure, and technology-enabled teaching practices. These insights will help inform the development of ISAT University’s Smart Learning Environment roadmap.

The partnership reflects both universities’ determination to respond to the evolving demands of higher education by building more connected, adaptive, and digitally enabled learning systems. It is expected to create opportunities for academic exchanges, collaborative projects, capacity-building activities, and the sharing of best practices in smart education.

Through this agreement, ISAT University and UTM have laid a stronger foundation for sustained cooperation and innovation, bringing their academic communities closer while advancing the future of digital learning.

‎Witnessing this momentous occasion are the entire SLE benchmarking team and Dr. Farhana Diana Deris, Director Corporate Communication Centre, Office of Strategy and Global Eminence and Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim who represented the UTM.

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‎This landmark partnership paves the way for exciting knowledge exchange and shared advancements in educational technology.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) Smart Learning Environment (SLE) team took a significant step toward advancing educational innovation with their visit to the world-leading Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Smart Campus in Singapore on November 21, 2025.

During the visit, the ISAT U delegation gained valuable exposure to NTU’s hyper-interactive learning spacesand itssustainable, digitally connected community. The NTU Smart Campus is globally recognized for integrating cutting-edge technology with education, offering a glimpse into how digital ecosystems can transform teaching and learning.

The experience provided ISAT U’s SLE team with practical knowledge and inspiration to further enhance the university’s own smart learning initiatives. By observing NTU’s advanced facilities, ISAT U aims to refine its strategies in building a moreinnovative, student-centered, and future-ready learning environment.

University officials emphasized that the visit reflects ISAT U’s dedication to staying at the forefront of educational transformation. The collaboration and insights gained from NTU are expected to strengthen ISAT U’s mission of fostering excellence through technology-driven education.