Fostering Innovation in Higher Education_ Batangas State University’s P++ Framework

Themes

Service Quality: BatStateU focuses on continuous improvements to enhance the quality of services offered, ensuring excellence in academic and administrative functions.

Innovation Leadership: The university aims to create efficient and effective educational products and services, driving advancements through innovative approaches and collaboration.

Overview

Batangas State University’s (BatStateU) P++ Framework illustrates the university’s commitment to enhancing productivity through innovation and collaboration. The mismatch between academic research and industry needs has hindered the full potential of research outputs. To address this, BatStateU has implemented strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, facilitating the integration of practical skills into its curriculum and fostering entrepreneurial initiatives. By establishing robust feedback mechanisms and enhancing financial support for startups, the university is actively working to strengthen these collaborations, thereby improving its research impact and educational outcomes while driving community engagement.

Challenge

BatStateU encountered significant challenges in translating academic research into practical applications, particularly in transferring technology and commercializing the findings of its students, researchers, and SMEs. A notable mismatch between research outputs and industry needs further compounded this issue. There was a clear need for a more effective framework to address these challenges to improve data accessibility, facilitate knowledge sharing, and enhance collaboration between academia and industry. Such a framework would help align research outcomes with practical industry requirements and drive meaningful innovation.

Solution/s

The university introduced its “P++ model,” which focuses on Philosophy, Plan, Policy, Program, Place, People, Partnership, Productivity, and Peso, to drive innovation in engineering and beyond. This model emphasizes the university’s commitment to leveraging external insights, fostering industry collaborations, and contributing to regional and national development. The P++ Model introduces several innovative features to overcome these challenges:

Its Philosophy is grounded in the principles of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. As the Philippines’ National Engineering University, BatStateU’s philosophy integrates both internal and external sources of ideas and pathways to market, fostering collaboration with industry leaders, government bodies, and academic institutions. Central to this philosophy are the university’s core values: Patriotism, reflecting pride in Filipino heritage and a sense of duty toward the nation’s progress, environmental conservation, and public accountability; Integrity, ensuring that all actions are conducted with professionalism, fairness, and moral uprightness; Excellence, striving for equity and superior performance through a culture of innovation and mutual respect; Service, encouraging collaboration, accountability, and passion for collective goals; Resilience, fostering adaptability to change and rapid recovery from challenges; and Faith, promoting dedication to the BatStateU community with a strong belief in a higher purpose. This unique approach bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world applications, ensuring graduates are not only industry-ready but also equipped with ethical values, critical thinking skills, and social responsibility. Through its commitment to holistic education and the development of strategic partnerships, BatStateU cultivates an innovation ecosystem that drives engineering excellence and produces future leaders capable of addressing global challenges through science, technology, and engineering.

The Plan is built upon its strategic vision to strengthen its leadership in engineering education while driving national development. The 10-Year Strategic Plan (2019-2029) is anchored in the university’s core values, which form the foundation of its planning framework. This framework is supported by critical enablers, including Governance, Human Resources, Financial Resources, Infrastructure, Linkages, and Government Partnerships. The plan revolves around six key pillars known as BASICS: Brand of Excellence, Access, Social Relevance, Inclusive Innovation, Capacity and Sustainability. A unique feature of the plan is its emphasis on Inclusive Innovation. BatStateU actively collaborates with external partners—industry, government, and academic institutions—to create impactful and sustainable solutions, reinforcing the university’s national relevance and expanding its global presence. Complementing this is the Five-Year Development Plan (2023-2027), which outlines BatStateU’s roadmap for contributing to regional and national development. The plan prioritizes six critical areas that will shape the university’s future: Academic Leadership, Research and Innovation, Social Responsibility, Internationalization, Sports, Culture, and the Arts and Sustainability. These focal areas are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (2023-2028) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that BatStateU’s academic excellence translates into meaningful social transformation both domestically and globally. Together, the 10-Year Strategic Plan and the Five-Year Development Plan serve as comprehensive blueprints for the university’s long-term growth. They guide the execution of BatStateU’s strategies and initiatives, ensuring alignment with its vision of achieving national relevance and global impact while fostering a culture of academic leadership, innovation, and societal contribution.

Policy is guided by a comprehensive framework that promotes transparency, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement. The university’s policy direction is strongly shaped by Republic Act 11694, which designates BatStateU as the National Engineering University of the Philippines. This law mandates BatStateU to play a critical role in national development by leveraging its specialized expertise in engineering, science, and technology. BatStateU integrates external insights and resources with its internal capabilities to drive innovation and contribute to nation-building. This strategic approach fosters collaboration with industry, government, and academic institutions, aligning with both global standards in education and research and national developmental priorities. Through these policies, BatStateU ensures that its mission aligns with global standards while driving progress in the areas of engineering and innovation to address national priorities and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

Programs at BatStateU are diverse, catering to the fields of engineering, technology, and innovation. Key programs include:

• National Engineering Education Development (NEED) Program: This program is aimed at developing and enhancing engineering education across the Philippines. It supports BatStateU’s mandate as the National Engineering University, focusing on intensifying scientific, technological, and high-impact research. The NEED Program likely provides resources, training, and opportunities to cultivate future engineers and innovators, helping the country meet its industrial and technological needs. It aligns with BatStateU’s broader open innovation strategy by promoting advanced research, technology transfer, and academic excellence.

• Young LIFTers (Leadership, Innovation, and Futures Thinking) Program: This program focuses on fostering leadership, innovation, and technical skills among young individuals, likely students and recent graduates. By providing mentorship, training, and development opportunities, the Young LIFTers Program aims to prepare future leaders who can drive innovation and contribute to national development. The program emphasizes building a community of young professionals ready to take on challenges in the fields of engineering, science, and technology, in line with BatStateU’s commitment to developing industry-ready talent.

• ACTION (Adaptive Capacity-building and Technology Innovation for Occupational Needs) Center aims to provide adaptive technologies and capacity-building programs that address the needs of industries, particularly in engineering and technical fields. The ACTION Center focuses on delivering innovative solutions that help industries adapt to changes in technology and market demands, while also enhancing their operational efficiency. It offers training, consultancy, and research services to industries, bridging the gap between academic research and practical industrial applications.

• HUGIS (Harmonized and Unified GIS) for Industry Productivity aims to establish a comprehensive GIS platform tailored for the agriculture and aquaculture sectors is a partnership with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), focusing on QGIS training, a web-based agricultural/aquaculture data repository, and industry-enhancing insights and applications

• Verde Island Passage (VIP) Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences is focused on the conservation and sustainable management of marine biodiversity, particularly within the Verde Island Passage, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas. The center conducts oceanographic research, biodiversity assessments, and studies on marine ecosystems, aiming to support environmental sustainability and policy development. It also serves as a hub for marine research collaborations, bringing together experts, students, and stakeholders to address critical issues related to ocean health and coastal communities.

Additionally, BatStateU offers programs in science, business, and other fields, aligned with the university’s aim to develop future-ready graduates.

Place refers to BatStateU’s physical and virtual environment, which is designed to foster learning, innovation, and research. These spaces serve as incubators for innovation, promoting the development of technology and solutions for societal needs.

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Environment Research (STEER) Hub is a dedicated space that provides essential resources and support for innovation and technology transfer. This hub enables researchers and students to collaborate with industry experts, fostering knowledge exchange and co-development of practical solutions and is designed to offer specialized laboratory services across key domains in engineering, science, and technology. This facility focuses on advanced research and development in critical areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Material Science, Digital Fabrication, Geospatial Information Systems, and emerging technologies. Key facilities include the Material Testing Calibration Center, the Digital Transformation Center, the Center for Technopreneurship and Innovation,the Food Innovation Center, the Engineering and Innovation Hub

• Knowledge, Innovation, and Science Technology (KIST) Park was established as a Special Economic Zone through Presidential Proclamation No. 947 on 22 May 2020. It plays a significant role in creating jobs, attracting both domestic and foreign investment, and enhancing community well-being. The KIST Park also aims to promote industrial R&D, higher value-added activities, and accelerate the country’s transition from a labor-intensive economy to a knowledge-intensive one, and delivers a robust infrastructure for startup and technology-based enterprise development. It offers Startup Incubation programs designed to accelerate business maturity through strategic support and resources and In-House Spaces provide secure and sustainable office environments, integrated with Enhanced ICT Infrastructure for continuous, high-performance connectivity.

People are central to its success, encompassing faculty, staff, students, and alumni who play instrumental roles in achieving the university’s mission. The faculty consists of experts and professionals committed to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. The university prioritizes developing students’ potential through diverse academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. The alumni network significantly supports the university’s goals, enhancing its reputation and outreach. For the first semester of AY 2024-2025, BatStateU reported an enrollment of 60,615 students, which includes 56,708 undergraduates and 1,719 graduate students across its campuses. This extensive student population is a vital component of the university’s open innovation strategy. These students, alongside faculty and researchers, make substantial contributions to research initiatives, technological advancements, and practical applications. Since 2015, a total of 15,567 students have participated in technopreneurship programs, demonstrating BatStateU’s commitment to integrating technopreneurship into academic offerings. BatStateU has also achieved record-breaking international engagement, now hosting 145 international students, marking a 163% increase from 2022. This growth reflects the global appeal of its educational programs. Additionally, the university has strategically recruited 20 international lecturers from diverse regions, including the USA, India, Malaysia, and the UK, enhancing its educational offerings and fostering a rich cultural exchange.

BatStateU values Partnerships with industry, government, academic institutions, and international organizations. These collaborations are pivotal to advancing the university’s research and innovation agenda. Key partnerships include:

• Innovation Consortium (ICONS) brings together academic institutions, industries, and government agencies to collaborate on research and innovation projects. ICONS serves as a platform for open innovation, allowing stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop cutting-edge technologies, improve industry practices, and conduct impactful research. This consortium exemplifies BatStateU’s focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, helping to drive national and global advancements in science, technology, and engineering through joint research efforts.

• BRIDGES (Building Research and Innovation Development Goals for Engineering Solutions) Program addresses the gap between academic research and industry needs by emphasizing practical, engineering-based solutions to real-world challenges. Through partnerships with various stakeholders, the BRIDGES Program promotes the development of applied research and technologies that tackle pressing societal issues. This initiative aligns with BatStateU’s commitment to open innovation and technology transfer, ensuring that research outputs are effectively utilized by industries and communities.

BatStateU enhances its global research and collaboration capabilities through 62 international linkages and engagement with 45 professional organizations, fortifying industry integration and practical application. Between FY 2014 and 2023, the university strategically established 994 partnerships through its extension services, encompassing a diverse array of stakeholders. Notably, 370 of these partnerships focused on research collaborations, resulting in 110 research outputs utilized by industry and community stakeholders. Through these efforts, BatStateU exemplifies its dedication to open innovation, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources that drive advancements across disciplines.

Productivity is assessed through research output, technological innovations, and industry collaborations. The university prioritizes impactful research and development initiatives that address pressing societal needs and drive economic growth, thereby enhancing the nation’s competitiveness. This commitment is reflected in BatStateU’s impressive global standing, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, as demonstrated by its recognition as the 300th Most Sustainable University in the 2023 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking. The university’s focus on teaching and learning is equally robust, with continuous efforts to improve academic performance and outcomes. By integrating industry-specific skills into the curriculum through programs like the Industry Immersion and Internship Program and the Student Exchange Program, BatStateU equips students and faculty with essential practical experience. This holistic approach not only boosts productivity but also strengthens the connection between academic excellence and societal impact, reinforcing BatStateU’s role as a leader in innovation and education.

Peso refers to the university’s financial sustainability and its role in contributing to national economic development. BatStateU has strategically allocated a total of 146 million pesos dedicated to advancing high-impact research projects, fostering scientific discovery and technological innovation. Additionally, 50 million pesos have been allocated to the STEER Hub, which is instrumental in driving open innovation and fostering industry partnerships. A significant investment of 1.875 billion pesos is directed towards the KIST Park, aimed at creating a dynamic innovation ecosystem and facilitating collaboration across industries. In the first half of Fiscal Year 2024, the university has made remarkable progress in research, development, and extension services. The university secured a substantial funding of 361.3 million pesos, fueling advancements in various R&D activities across multiple disciplines. This funding, sourced from both institutional resources and external partner agencies, has facilitated the completion of 31 research projects. Among these, 22 projects were internally funded, while 9 received external financial support

Each of these elements demonstrates BatStateU’s integrated approach to achieving its mission as the National Engineering University, also promote a holistic approach to research and industry integration, aligning academic output with market demand and driving economic growth.

Productivity Gains, Outcomes, and Impact

Through the P++ framework, Batangas State University (BatStateU) has achieved significant productivity gains, producing 110 research outputs, including notable projects such as Biodiversity Mapping, Sigaw Tarlac, Mr. Tour Guide, and the Collapsible Movable Power Station, which have been effectively utilized by industry and community stakeholders. Additionally, BatStateU has incubated 124 startups, including Phytos and Fusion Node, showcasing its commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent and innovation.. The university’s global recognition is evident in its ranking of 128th in the 2024 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) and its three-star rating from Quacquarelli Symonds Stars University rating. These accolades highlight BatStateU’s commitment to excellence and sustainability in education and research.

BatStateU students have also earned notable recognition on the global stage through their innovative projects. In January 2022, the WonderPets project, focused on water remediation using metal-organic frameworks derived from PET bottles, secured 1st place at the UNESCO World Engineering Day Hackathon. In November 2022, the AI-quaponics-360 project won 1st place at the Engineering Innovation Challenge in Singapore, showcasing an advanced AI-driven aquaponics system. Additionally, at the World Engineering Day Hackathon 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, Team AdventURINE achieved 3rd place with their Green Sustainable Phyto-fence project, which uses cured source-collected urine for urban environmental balance. These accolades underscore the university’s commitment to fostering global innovation and excellence.

Furthermore, BatStateU hosts the International Research Conference on Engineering and Science and Technology (IRCIEST), enhancing international collaboration and innovation in these fields. The Industry Immersion and Internship Program incorporates industry-specific skills into the academic curriculum, equipping students and faculty with essential practical experience and insights. Additionally, the Student Exchange Program enables students to study abroad, broadening their exposure to diverse educational systems and global cultural perspectives.

By providing essential resources and mentorship, BatStateU strengthens its connection to the success of its entrepreneurial initiatives. Overall, the P++ framework significantly enhances BatStateU’s productivity performance, driving innovation, improving academic quality, and positively impacting students and the wider community through enhanced collaboration and engagement.

Lessons Learned/Challenges in Implementing the Intervention

One key lesson is the importance of fostering robust partnerships; while numerous collaborations have led to significant research outputs and startup incubations, maintaining engagement and alignment with industry needs remains a challenge. Additionally, BatStateU has recognized the need for continuous feedback mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, particularly in terms of student outcomes and industry integration. This highlights a potential area for improvement in systematically assessing the impact of initiatives like the Industry Immersion and Internship Program. Another challenge encountered is the resource allocation for supporting entrepreneurial ventures, as some startups have struggled to secure consistent funding and mentorship. Enhancing financial support and mentorship programs could further bolster the success of these initiatives. Moreover, while international partnerships have expanded, BatStateU can improve its outreach to diverse regions to attract a wider range of global expertise. By addressing these areas, BatStateU can further refine its P++ framework to drive greater impact in research, education, and community engagement.