Prof. Victoria Malaya, DMMMSU faculty member and researcher, served as a virtual plenary speaker during the International Conference on Economy, Education, Technology, and Environment (ICEETE) 2023 which was held on August 2, 2023.

Prof. Malaya discussed Fostering Innovation and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development in the Philippines through Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators, with concentration on innovation and technology that are recognized as fundamental drivers of economic growth. Prof. Malaya underscored in her speech that “in the Philippines, promoting innovation is seen as a key strategy to recover from pandemic, accelerating its growth and achieve high income status by 2040”.

Organized by the Universitas Tunas Pembangunan Surakarta (Indonesia), in collaboration with Sultan Idris Shah Polytechnic (Malaysia), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (the Philippines), and Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (Thailand), ICEETE 2023 focused on the recent-actual topics related to Sustainable Development Goals: 1) no poverty, 2) zero hunger, 3) good health well-being, 4) quality education, 5) gender equality, 7) affordable and clean energy, 8) decent work and economic growth, 9) industry, innovation and infrastructure, 10) reduce inequality, 11) sustainable cities and community, 12) response, consumption and production, 13) climate action, 14) life below water, 15) life on land, 16) peace, justice, and strong institutions, and 17) partnership for the goals.

Prof. Malaya’s keynote address describes the “relevance and engagement of University led Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in the Philippines”.  Agri-Aqua TBIs funded by Department of Science and Technology are potentially tapped as engines and accelerators of commercialization of research outcomes of selected State Universities in the Philippines. In her address, she further recommended that innovative technologies in agriculture and aquaculture sector be strengthened and sustainably developed to achieve the long term goals of innovation, technological advancement and sustainable growth of the country. (By Jesus Rafael Jarata)