MANILA — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is eyeing a new type of economic zone for the development of the country’s human resources and stronger linkage between industries and the academe through state universities and colleges (SUCs).
PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said PEZA had consulted the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) for the development of knowledge, innovation, science and technology or KIST parks nationwide.
Plaza said PEZA wants the KIST parks in every region to provide training on manpower needs for industries.
Moreover, PEZA Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Theo Panga said the KIST parks would create more value-adding for the country’s higher education institutions.
“Akin to an S&T (science and technology) park, PEZA’s version of a KIST park pertains to a center of excellence or a kind of space where productive activity is done by collaborating with government, academics, community and business,” said Panga.
“Towards this end, PEZA has introduced an innovation by expanding the eligible activities or projects that may be hosted by KIST park developers. Apart from the conventional IT-enabled activities, companies into technology, innovation and R&D (research and development) may register with PEZA as locators in the KIST parks and where their pioneering products/services and innovative solutions may cater to both export and domestic markets,” he added.
The official said the KIST parks would be patterned after international models of science and technology parks, such as Biopolis of Singapore, Science and Technology parks of Korea, and Education City of Qatar.
Aside from PASUC, PEZA is also partnering with the Department of Science and Technology for KIST parks.
“The academe may also partner with the industry, particularly in putting up a research institute and incubation facility where its scientific studies or technology patent can be offered to venture capitalists for commercial development and production,” Panga said.
“The KIST parks may be immediately rolled out in public and private institutions with high academic standards and strong research facilities in the fields of biotech, food and nutrition, agro-engineering, electronics, robotics, renewable energy, transport solutions, data analytics, etc,” he added. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)
