CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines—Samar State University (SSU) President Dr. Redentor Palencia delivered a talk on the role of academe in building a startup-driven nation, and SSU’s best practices along innovation during the Regional Smart Communities Exposition and Networking Engagement (RSCENE) held yesterday, June 17, 2025 at the Tandaya Hall, Catbalogan City, Samar.
Dr. Palencia took center stage as he tackled how universities hold immense influence in building a startup-driven future for the young generations. Dr. Palencia emphasized that universities are not just centers of learning but catalysts for entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“At Samar State University, we made a choice . . . We are no longer just keepers of knowledge. We are now engines of innovation.,” Dr. Palencia stated. “Our students are no longer just preparing for employment. They are becoming employers. They are building solutions, startups, and systems that carry our identity with pride.”
President Palencia also highlighted SSU’s pioneering efforts in establishing TBI-LAMBAT and USWAG, the university’s initiatives designed to empower local and regional startups.
“These are more than programs. They are ecosystems. They catch early ideas before they slip away. They connect talent with opportunity. They turn raw passion into real enterprises,” he asserted.
In closing, Dr. Palencia underscored the importance of local universities in decentralizing innovation to ensure that startup growth is not confined to metropolitan hubs, “’Can I really build a company, even if I’m just from Samar?’ The answer is not just yes, you can. It’s yes, you must!”
Following his talk, Dr. Palencia, in representation of SSU, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Catbalogan City Mayor Hon. Dexter Uy for the establishment of Startup RISE (Research & Incubation for Smarter Enterprise).
The RSCENE 2025 gathered students, industry practitioners, academic leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to showcase regional innovations and research developments, and foster regional and national partnerships for knowledge exchange and collaborations.