MECO forges partnership with Taiwan for establishment of R&D center

The agreement calls for the establishment of a technology incubator center to be modeled after Taiwan?s world-class ICT spark plug, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

MECO resident representative and managing director Antonio I. Basilio cited the R & D center as it would provide technology support for the country?s budding ICT companies.

?The Philippines needs a technology incubator similar to Taiwan?s ITRI, one that would provide technology support for the country?s budding ICT companies and spur passion for science and technology among the Philippines? promising entrepreneurial and academic talent,? said Basilio.

Basilio said the innovative project will fuel the rapid growth and expansion of the Philippines? high-growth technology-based industries.

?The Philippines is laying down the groundwork for the establishment of a dynamic center for innovation that will be modeled after Taiwan?s own ITRI. The planned technology incubator project will not only inspire new ideas but also promote closer cooperation and partnerships between scientists, businesses and the government in the area of high-value, high-tech research and development,? said Basilio.

With the partnership, MECO has moved one step closer towards its dream of transforming the Philippines into a regional technology hub by helping facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ITRI, the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI) and the Philippines? Congressional Committee on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) during the 16th joint economic council meeting between Taipei and Manila in February 2009.

Philippine stakeholders from businesses and government agencies to university-based research centers view this initiative as a significant first step towards the establishment of a Philippine R&D center for industrial technology, according to Basilio.

Basilio said the tripartite alliance, comprising ITRI, SEIPI and COMSTE, will review and assess the science, technology and engineering research and development systems in the Philippines with a view of providing the latter with the essential R&D support infrastructure for the advancement of industrial technology in the Philippines.

This will be achieved by means of strategic collaboration between public and private stakeholders in the Philippines and overseas, Basilio said.

The UP Law Center is currently working with the COMSTE in drafting the charter of this new Institute.

According to the MOU, Philippine parties hope to work with ITRI in conceptualizing and defining a feasible technical, operational and financial roadmap for the Philippines? R&D institute with ICT identified as its first sectoral beneficiary.

A national research organization that serves to strengthen the technological competitiveness of Taiwan, ITRI expedites the development of new industrial technology, aids in the process of upgrading industrial technology techniques, and establishes future industrial technology.

This technology incubator, recognized as one of the region?s most vibrant knowledge-based centers, employs 6,000 experts in the area of Communication and Optoelectronics, Precision Machinery and MEMS, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Technology, Sustainable Development, and Nanotechnology.

In addition to driving revolutionary technological research, ITRI also nurtures Taiwan?s next generation of industrial pioneers.

The institute has provided various technological, research and consulting services to more than 30,000 domestic companies annually, averaged over 2,000 patent applications per year, staged three research symposiums per day, and launched four research collaboration opportunities.

ITRI is also responsible for the spin-off of notable Taiwanese technology companies such as the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC), the United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and a host of other technology companies.

?We have what it takes to build our very own ITRI because we have an enormous amount of IT and engineering talent in the Philippines. We also have first-class technical schools and venture partners and enterprises that are receptive to plum opportunities in the technology sector,? said Basilio.

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