RESEARCH PRODUCTS. CHED chair Dr. Prospero de Vera III, Rizal Technological University vice-chair Dr. Maria Eugenia Yanco, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter McArthur, and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez check out an urban gardening idea that encourages city dwellers to grow their own food even in tight spaces. The display is only one of the many other innovative ideas featured in the first State Colleges and Universities fair being held at the Activity Center of TriNoma Ayala Malls until Wednesday (March 11, 2020). (PNA photo by Christine Cudis)
MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) plans to stage a yearly exhibit that will put on display various and useful inventions produced by Philippine state universities and colleges (SUCs).
In a media interview on Monday, CHED chairperson Prospero de Vera III said they are partnering with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to hold invention and research gatherings completed by government-run campuses nationwide.
“We do not have enough of that yet in this country -- we are building a platform where the industry can discover their products to manufacture and highlight what the SUCs are doing,” de Vera III said.
CHED is staging the first SUC fair, 'The Art of SUCcess,' at the activity area of the Ayala Malls TriNoma in Quezon City on March 9 to 11.
The three-day event carries the theme “Passion, Innovation, and Connection” showcasing the contribution to the advancement of technology and socio-economy of campuses coming from 14 regions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The Rizal Technological Institute (RTU) has pioneered the hosting of the expo joined by 50 universities and colleges.
De Vera added that the next fairs should be in Visayas and Mindanao so various industry players from different parts of the country can check out the products.
Products featured by the research and development departments of the universities seek to answer local woes of their economy.
For one, Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte produces high quality ‘black garlic’ in the market. It is one way to add value to the raw material (garlic) that the province has an oversupply of.
“We thought that garlic is limited for condiments but in partnership with an industry based in Japan, we were able to produce ‘black garlic’,” Mariano Marcos State University president Shirley Agrupis said.
Black garlic is a processed garlic product prepared by heat treatment of whole garlic bulbs at high temperature and humidity for several days.
After aging process, it can be enjoyed as a light snack.
Its health benefits include lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, helping destroy cancer cells in the body, boosting properties against infection, and reducing inflammation.
Agrupis, in an interview, said garlic produced by Ilocos Norte has the highest bioactive component than those from Japan and Taiwan.
This unique property of garlic is an important neurotransmitter that helps deter Alzheimer’s disease.
Meanwhile, Southern Mindanao’s lone delegate, the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), boasted their sprayer nozzle and other agriculture innovations that are gaining ground in the Davao Region as they help farmers hasten the harvesting processes of in-demand cacao and mango.
Other products like Vinta-inspired tokens, designer clothes, and innovative food and beverages will be on display until Wednesday’s mall hours. (PNA)
