Six (6) FIC developed technologies from Region 1 state universities Pangasinan State University and Mariano Marcos Memorial State University were among the Top 10 Best Product Finalist awarded during the North Luzon FIC Cluster Fair Marketing Academy held last May11 – 13, 2022 at the Hotel Supreme, Baguio City. There were a total of 22 competing products during the event which were presented during the minimum viable product (MVP) presentation of various participants from Region 1, 2, 3, and CAR.
Two (2) PSU DOST 1 Food Innovation Center developed technologies, the Squash Pesto Sauce and Tomato Salsa in Pouch were awarded as Fourth Prize and Finalist Award, respectively. Both products were produced utilizing the water retort machine, one of the HITS (High Impact Technology Solutions) equipment rolled out by DOST to Regional FIC.
Mr. Felcris Z. Dy, PSU faculty researcher pitched the Squash Pesto Sauce while Ms. Meryl A. Bernardino, DOST1 FIC staff presented the Tomato Salsa technology. They were supported by Ms. Charissa De Vera, PSU faculty researcher and Ms. Jennifer Fernandez, DOST 1 -PSTC Pangasinan staff as part of the organizing committee and pioneer students of the Year 1 FIC Marketing Academy.
The FIC Marketing Academy is a part of the project of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) led by Dr. Zorayda Ang. The 3-day event were organized by Cluster A led by PD Nora Garcia as the Cluster Dean. On the first day, all the products were showcased and presented for pitching. A lecture on the Test Marketing Implementation was also delivered by Dr. Dave D. Centeno, Professor from UP Diliman. Awarding was done the next day followed by benchmarking to BSU ATBI/IC located in La Trinidad Benguet and to PSU DOST 1 Food Innovation Center in Bayambang, Pangasinan.