Continuing its high-impact international benchmarking activity in Thailand, the Pangasinan State University ALIGWAS Technology Business Incubator delegation took a deep dive into advanced innovation systems, food science, and practical commercialization during a site visit to Mahidol University, which was made possible through the initiative and assistance of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Mahidol University enjoys a stellar institutional reputation as Thailand’s flagship healthcare and medical education institution and one of the top public universities in Southeast Asia.
Still rooted in University President Dr. Elbert M. Galas’ vision and goal in pursuit of academic excellence, this comprehensive mission took the delegation across Mahidol University’s vibrant Salaya Campus to study world-class frameworks in technology commercialization, startup acceleration, and advanced nutrition science.
Representing PSU on-site is a dynamic team composed of Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation Dr. Razeale G. Resultay, Faculty Regent Mr. Ace John Mark P. Liwanag, PSU Aligwas TBI Project Leader Dr. Roseanne Agustin-Cera, TBI Core Member Engr. Roy Flores, and Vice President for Local and International Affairs Dr. Renato E. Salcedo.
The benchmarking started at the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (iNT), where the team was welcomed by Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viriya Taecharungroj. Here, the delegation explored Mahidol’s centralized innovation governance structure, a unified office seamlessly integrating IP management, technology transfer, startup incubation, and international partnerships into a single pipeline. A major highlight was learning about Mahidol’s flagship accelerator programs, SPACE-F for FoodTech and SPEAR-H for HealthTech.
SPACE-F is jointly supported by Mahidol University, the National Innovation Agency (which the delegation previously benchmarked), and leading multinational food companies. Through this presentation, the team gained a thorough understanding of intensive mentoring, product validation, investment readiness, and more. The morning session also featured inspiring FoodTech startup showcases, including Foodthera, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Anuttachai Maiyauthet from the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Bionano Solutions, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Kanlaya Ketwongsa from the Faculty of Science, demonstrating how academic research successfully transitions into market-ready enterprises.
Furthermore, a structured 5-phase incubation model starting with a one-month team formation masterclass, milestone-based funding, and faculty entrepreneurship policies was also presented.
Continuing the activity in the afternoon, the delegation proceeded to the Institute of Nutrition, where they received firsthand exposure to state-of-the-art food innovation laboratories, product development hubs, and nutrition research facilities. This site visit provided deep insights into how cutting-edge food science and nutrition research are translated into practical solutions that address public health concerns while driving commercial growth.
This multi-faceted institutional engagement opens exciting avenues for future cooperation, including joint FoodTech innovation projects, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative research initiatives. These best practices serve as a vital blueprint for PSU Aligwas TBI as it strengthens its ASENSO Incubation Framework and cultivates globally competitive startups in sustainable food systems.