Engr. Albert Samuela, head of the ASCEND Project, recently met with Department of Science and Technology – Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) representative Mr. Reynaldo Esguerra, to discuss strategies for aligning research with the evolving demands of industry. The meeting highlighted both organizations’ commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening the country’s research-to-industry pipeline.

The conversation focused on DOST-ITDI’s structured approach to collaborating with industry partners, which includes comprehensive needs assessments, joint research and development initiatives, and technology transfer processes. These practices have been instrumental in ensuring that scientific and technological outputs are transformed into real-world solutions that directly benefit various sectors.

During the discussion, Esguerra highlighted DOST-ITDI’s pivotal role in bridging research outputs with market applications, citing successful examples where collaborative R&D addressed pressing industry challenges. He emphasized the importance of fostering proactive engagement between academic institutions and private companies to maximize the value of research.

Samuela gathered key insights to refine the ASCEND Project’s framework, which seeks to connect higher education institutions (HEIs) and industry players to drive innovation, workforce readiness, and economic growth. He noted that adopting DOST-ITDI’s best practices would help HEIs better tailor their research to industry needs. “By learning from DOST-ITDI’s expertise, we can create more effective pathways for academic-industry partnerships,” Samuela said.