In yet another remarkable achievement, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), once again, was recognized for the third time as a Platinum Awardee for the 2023 Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) 2.0 Clustering by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines during the 2024 ITSO Presidents’ Summit held March 18 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City.

The Platinum Award is the highest recognition given by the IPOPhil to the top-performing ITSO office that satisfied the cluster requirements, such as filing at least seven patents and successfully commercializing or assisting in the commercialization of at least one technology through licensing or other modes.  

Since its leap from the Gold Cluster in 2021, the MMSU consistently maintained its status in the Platinum Cluster. The attainment of the cluster requirements has been facilitated by the MMSU University Innovation and Technology Office (UITSO), which relentlessly supports initiatives fostering intellectual property (IP) development and innovation advancement in the university.   In 2023, the UITSO processed the filing of 7 patents, 9 utility models (UM), 3 industrial designs, and 4 trademarks. In addition, 15 IP-protected MMSU research-based products have been distributed through a distributorship agreement forged by the university with two business establishments in Ilocos Norte.

Dr. Shirley Agrupis, MMSU president, together with Dr. Dionisio Bucao, director of MMSU research and innovation and technology directorates, and Engr. Artbellson Mamuri, chief of UITSO, received the award during the awarding ceremony.

IP management and technology commercialization in MMSU are intensified through the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program, which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).