DOST, UM, Industry Partners Formalize Four Big Ticket projects Through MOA Signing
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the University of Mindanao (UM), and industry partners formally strengthened their commitment to collaborative research and development through the ceremonial signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) for four newly approved DOST Big Ticket Projects on September 1, 2026, at the University of Mindanao Matina Campus.
Representing the University of Mindanao Administration was Dr. Guillermo P. Torres, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of UM, who joined DOST officials, project leaders, and representatives of the participating industry partners in the formalization of the agreements.
The four Big Ticket Projects—Project ERASE, Project TRANSFORMEE, Project Cafemicroguard, and Project REESieve—bring together government, academe, and industry in advancing research initiatives designed to address critical development needs through science, technology, and innovation.
The ceremonial MOA signing marked the transition of these projects from approval to formal implementation, establishing the respective commitments and collaborative responsibilities of the participating institutions and organizations. Through the agreements, UM and its industry partners will work alongside DOST in advancing the projects’ research objectives and translating scientific and technological outputs into applications with potential impact beyond the laboratory.
The partnerships underscore the increasing role of universities as active contributors to national research and development, particularly through collaborations that connect academic expertise with government support and industry needs. For UM, the four Big Ticket Projects further expand its portfolio of large-scale R&D initiatives and strengthen its engagement with external partners in developing solutions that respond to real-world challenges. The MOA signing also reflects DOST’s continuing efforts to foster a robust national innovation ecosystem by supporting research collaborations that can generate technologies, knowledge, and solutions with practical and socioeconomic value.
With the formal agreements now in place, Project ERASE, Project TRANSFORMEE, Project Cafemicroguard, and Project REESieve are poised to move forward with their respective implementation activities, supported by the collective expertise and resources of the government, academe, and industry.
More than a ceremonial milestone, the signing represents a shared commitment to turning research investments into tangible outcomes and strengthening the capacity of the Davao Region to contribute to the country’s science, technology, and innovation agenda.
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