Friday, December 6, 2024

FEU-Tech opens first ‘innovation center’ in Manila campus

By Mary Jane Tadili

The Far Eastern University-Institute of Technology has put up the first “Innovation Center” in the university belt area which will serve as a think-tank and incubation facility for business ideas and projects with commercial potential and significant societal impact.

Photos show (from left to right) FEU Tech executive director Benson Tan, FEU vice president for corporate affairs Gianna Montinola, FEU Tech Board of Trustee member Arthur Tan, and FEU President Michael Alba

The new facility is specifically designed for its students and faculty who are interested in technopreneurship.

The center has an area of 1,170 square-meters and houses 14 specialized function rooms equipped with the latest technology learning tools. It has a high capacity storage system that can host different computer science and IT projects and boasts of high-speed Internet connection that can accommodate complex operations on various software.

Dr. Michael Alba, president of FEU, said there are many creative Filipinos that only need the right resources to materialize their visions.

“We acknowledge the potential of these young minds and the strength of their abilities, which is why we created the Innovation Center. I am positive that through this new platform, our creative students and teachers will be able to have breakthroughs that will benefit society immensely,” Alba added.

School officials said that by capitalizing on the technical expertise of mentors and tapping the increasingly diversifying start-up ecosystem, they are empowering their students and faculty to come up with the best next thing in technology and innovation.

The center offers a 360-degree support program for project proposals — from market validation to product development and prototyping, and intellectual property and management assistance — to ensure maximized commercial potential and competitive Technology Readiness Level (TRL).

Dr. Benson Tan, senior executive director of FEU Tech, said the Innovation Center was envisioned to harness the gifts of their students and for them change their mindsets for being a job seeker to becoming a job creator. 

“The vision is that FEU Tech will have students who are ready to transition from ease with confidence from the classrooms to CEOs of their start-up companies,” Tan said.

The center is currently exclusive and free for FEU students and faculty. However, it will be opened eventually to other interested parties once the guidelines are set.

FEU has plans to acquire a 3D printer for prototyping, hybrid and Electrical Transient and Analysis Program (ETAP) to aid in engineering research. Partnerships with industry experts are also in line to help improve the program offerings of the laboratory.

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