The Department of Science and Technology Isabela State University Smart City Technology Business Incubation (DISC TBI) through Dr. Betchie E. Aguinaldo, Director of Business Intelligence Research and Development Center (BIRD-C) and the Project Lead of DISC TBI, accomplished the following during the launching of DISC TBI last March 24, 2023.

First, a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) between HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. and ISU was signed through Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, President of ISU, and Mr. Guo Zhi, Chief Operations Officer of Huawei Technologies Phils., Inc. witnessed by Dr. Precila C. Delima, Executive Officer of ISU Cauayan and Ms. Karenina Buenafe, Representative from Huawei Technologies Phil. Inc. HUAWEI is a global information and communications technology solution provider and manufacturer of telecommunication products. The goal of this MOU is to establish cooperation, research and development capacity building, technical exchange, and mutual understanding between the parties.

Second, another MOU between the City of Cauayan, ISU, and Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) was settled. The MOU aims to collaborate on the promotion of a Public-Private-Academic Partnership Program to assist the DISC TBI with mentorship, coaching, and other necessary support to accelerate start-ups as mechanisms for shared success in strengthening the Start-Up Economy. The MOU signing was spearheaded by Hon. Caesar S. Dy Jr., City Mayor of Cauayan City, Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, President of ISU, and representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE), Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI), SINAG Cagayan Valley, and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. Today, I’ll tell you, we are already successful. We have done a lot, a bucket load of deals, sweat, and going out of our comfort zone for us to be here today. We are all creative, we are all innovative, and we are all here to make transformations for the people of Cagayan Valley, so we fully support you,” said Ms. Seok Mei Goh, United City Representative of Singapore, during her message support at the launching of DISC TBI.

The event provided an opportunity to recognize the industry partners, regional line agencies, and foreign mentors who will open linkages to foreign academic universities to be future co-incubator in the ASEAN region.