CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) held its annual U-IGNITE summit on Nov. 28 to showcase student innovation and strengthen regional partnerships.
The event, dubbed Future Summit: USTP Innovate. Grow. Network. Inspire. Transform. Engage (U-IGNITE) 2025 featured exhibits and a forum under the theme “Co-Create Tomorrow.” Presentations included solutions from the Reverse Ritching Forum, where students addressed challenges from local government units and organizations.
USTP System President Ambrosio B. Cultura II said the university is positioning itself as a “national development engine” and a center for science and technology. He highlighted the Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park model as a platform for regional transformation.
Despite the recent successes, he noted that more student-led ventures are needed to sustain regional growth.
“We must accelerate the number of student startups. The university has institutionalized various programs to create a unique environment where students are encouraged to transition from researchers to business owners,” Cultura said.
Cultura added that the goal of fostering a startup culture is to create jobs and generate economic impact. He called for a pipeline that moves research from laboratories to the market, linking academic work with industry needs.
Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)-10 Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño said Northern Mindanao has joined the country’s trillion-peso economy, one of six regions to do so, contributing roughly 10 percent to the national economy.
“Innovation remains a cornerstone of socio-economic development,” Cariño said.
She described the reverse pitching process as a key feature of U-IGNITE, allowing students to develop solutions for local agencies.
Cariño urged students to see themselves as change agents capable of improving regional systems. She said innovation can “upset” stagnant processes and is essential for a secure and prosperous future.
She hopes the U-IGNITE will serve as a platform to turn discussions into concrete opportunities.
Also, the summit featured presentations from international innovators, including Vietnam-based Jesse Khan Tran, who discussed his journey from startup founder to entrepreneur.
Cultura and Cariño cited his story as an example of how ideas, supported by collaboration, can grow into enterprises that meet global standards.
Cultura also introduced the Innovation Triangle, a framework to enhance collaboration among government, industry, and academe. He urged participants to “co-create with collaboration” and engage across disciplines. (PIA)
USTP System President Ambrosio B. Cultura II addresses the community during U-IGNITE 2025, highlighting the university and its students as emerging innovators in Northern Mindanao. He said the university’s goal is to increase the number of student startups and emphasized its commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem. (Photo: MBT/PIA-10)
