UP ISSI showcases research and extension culture at Entrepreneurship Gravitas 2024

UP ISSI showcases research and extension culture at Entrepreneurship Gravitas 2024

The University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI), in collaboration with the UPD Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (UPD OVCRD), conducted “Entrepreneurship Gravitas 2024: A Research and Extension Colloquium” on October 11, 2024, at UP ISSI Training Room 301.

Asst. Prof. Melanie M. Moraga-Leaño, UP ISSI Director, gave the welcome remarks where she stressed the relevance of “gravitas” to the Institute’s unwavering commitment to serve its mandate for the Filipino MSMEs and entrepreneurs.

Engr. Rolando Ramon C. Diaz, Training and Entrepreneurship Education Division (TEED) Head, delivered a plenary discussion on the current situation of the Philippine MSME sector. He emphasized key reasons to support MSMEs and how to help them thrive. 

Presentations from the representatives of the UP ISSI divisions were conducted which highlighted their current research and extension projects.

Dr. Ian Jester M. de Vera, Research Division (RD) Head, presented the preliminary findings of his team’s study titled “Market Analysis on the Local Dairy and Milk Products of the Philippines,” a research project in collaboration with the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).

Mr. Joshua V. Garcia, Ms. Karen Kay C. Bravo, and Ms. Janelle Faye B. Tanudtanud, University Extensions Specialists from the Business Enterprise Development Division (BEED), reported the recent accomplishments of the GABAy Project (Gain Advancement through Business Advisory and Support Service), a UP ISSI flagship program. The project is geared to provide personalized assistance and mentoring to boost the productivity of MSMEs.

Ms. Joanna Rose T. Laddaran and Engr. Jefferson C. Sumalabe, University Extension Specialists from TEED, shared the training programs of the Institute in compliance with the entrepreneurial management cycle (i.e., Tara Na, Negosyo Na!, Accounting for Non-Accountants, Managers Course, Honing Agents for National Disaster Awareness Program). They also introduced UP ISSI’s new and upcoming course offering called “Aid4Business,” which aims to leverage the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) in enterprise management and productivity.

Several notable guests from different agencies and organizations graced the colloquium as reactors, such as Mr. Ramon D Escueta (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Mr. Melchor Morandarte (Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation), Mr. Alberto C. Yohanon (Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office), Ms. Mylene H. Somera (TESDA Women’s Center), and Ms. Ma. Fe. J. Avila (Department of Trade and Industry).

An open forum also took place after each presentation that engaged the attendees in a series of Q&As and sharing of insights.

Dr. de Vera also gave a special lecture on doing research limited to zero funding. He offered different kinds of research that MSME and entrepreneurship researchers and practitioners could pursue despite constraints in financial resources.

Dr. Reynold Ferdinand G. Manegdeg, BEDD Head, capped the colloquium through a closing remark. He hoped that the event would be a catalyst for all attendees to pursue efforts that would help MSMEs build productive and sustainable businesses.

Entrepreneurship Gravitas 2024 is a part of Saliksikhay RIDE (Research, Innovation, Development, and Extension), UP OVCRD’s annual event that “showcases UP Diliman’s research, creative work, and extension culture.” 

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