UP Mindanao and Palafox Launch 12-Hectare KIST Park in Davao City to Boost Innovation and Tech Development
Davao City to Welcome Cutting-Edge KIST Park, Boosting Mindanao’s Innovation Landscape
DAVAO CITY—A groundbreaking project is set to transform the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) into a hub of technological and scientific advancement. In collaboration with top urban planning firm Palafox and Associates, UPMin is crafting the master plan for the 12-hectare Knowledge Innovation Science and Technology (KIST) Park, nestled within its sprawling Bago Oshiro campus.
The KIST Park, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Pristine project, aims to establish state-of-the-art laboratories, innovation hubs, and research facilities. The Pristine program, a proposed $400 million Philippine government loan from the ADB, seeks to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem by aligning with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
“Together with UP Mindanao, we envision a space that fosters knowledge-sharing, technological advancement, and environmental stewardship,” Palafox and Associates said in a statement. The firm brings expertise from designing the country’s first KIST Park at Batangas State University, a 2.8-hectare facility serving as a blueprint for this ambitious project.
The UPMin KIST Park will focus on biotechnology and technology-driven solutions, featuring a range of cutting-edge facilities. These include a Technology Innovation Hub for collaborative industry-academia partnerships, a Technology Resource Center to support startups, a Translation OMICS Facility for bridging lab research with practical applications, and a Laboratory and Pilot Plant for developing biomass processing, fiber materials, and food technology.
As one of four proposed implementing agencies under the Pristine program, UPMin joins Mariano Marcos State University, Batangas State University, and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in driving regional innovation.
Once completed, the KIST Park is expected to create a dynamic ecosystem where science and technology intersect to foster inclusive growth and sustainable development in Mindanao.
The upcoming KIST park at the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) marks a pivotal step in advancing Mindanao’s innovation landscape. This initiative not only aims to enhance the region’s innovation capabilities but also seeks to foster collaboration among researchers, industry players, and policymakers by establishing a technology-driven hub at the core of Mindanao’s innovation ecosystem (SIT). The foundation was laid out in detail by explaining the key features of the hub as a landmark project that aims
the impending establishment of the Knowledge Innovation Science adn Technology (KIST) Park at the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) marks a pivotal step in elevating Davao City and the broader Mindanao region as a frontier of innovation and development. This visionary project, crafted in collaboration with the esteemed Palafox and Associates, promises to create a dynamic ecosystem where cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and entrepreneurial spirit converge. By fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government, the KIST Park will not only drive economic growth but also empower local talent, address regional challenges, and position Mindanao as a key player in the global knowledge economy. As construction progresses, the KIST Park stands as a testament to the transformative power of strategic investment in education, innovation, and enduring development, heralding a brighter and more prosperous future for the region.