THE technopreneurship horizon in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) area is going to be green and white with the establishment of De La Salle University (DLSU) Laguna.

“The Laguna campus will be the Center of Knowledge, Innovation, and Science and Technology [KIST] Philippine Economic Zone Authority [Peza] zone. Five hectares from the master plan was identified for this purpose,” said Prof. Gil Nonato C. Santos, vice chancellor of DLSU Laguna in a recent e-mail interview with the BusinessMirror.

Richard L. Lee Engineering and Technology Block

Santos, also a full professor of the physics department of DLSU Laguna, also pointed out the officials are positioning the campus to be a Silicon Valley-type of area in the south where industry will form a strong synergy and collaboration with academe.

So far, DLSU is on the right track as it was able to form two successful start-ups. The Kamino project produces algae for Nanotronix which synthesizes nanocomposite materials for a wide variety of applications. Kamino is supported by the Lopezes, while Nanotronix is a Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-funded project through Animolabs. Furthermore, Kamino is preparing the stages to put up a manufacturing plant while Nanotronix on its way to become a pilot plant.

Since the Laguna campus is a hub for developing new technologies, Santos said the Lasallian system will benefit from this since the start-ups can incubate in their facility, do research and development, market analysis, and launch the product, and invite as well venture capitalists and investors in the campus.

John Gokongwei Jr. Innovation Hall

Since DLSU Laguna is near Laguna Technopark, Santos said this will address the need of parents working in the economic zones in sending their children to a reputable and prestigious school. At the same time, as they grow, Santos said the students will be exposed to the atmosphere of science and technology in the campus, with the presence of researchers in the fields of science and engineering.

To develop a holistic education, DLSU Laguna is also focused on developing the arts and sports as it building the infrastructure for sports and program for interactive design and entertainment. “New programs will be offered in this campus that will address the need for other forms of energy that is efficient, supply-chain management, Internet of Things [IoT] applications, electric vehicles, drone technology, driverless car, bike sharing, food science, promotion of new products and inventions, all adds up of becoming a Smart city in the Calabarzon area.” Right now, Santos said DLSU Laguna has two major companies on board. They are Montreuil, France-based Ubisoft, the second-biggest game developer in the world, and Unison City, California-based Amber Kinetics.

Santos said Ubisoft provided expertise in developing the curriculum of game development under the college of computer studies. In partnership with Ubisoft, DLSU Laguna offers two programs: BS Interactive Entertainment major in Game Development and BS Interactive Entertainment major in Game Art and Design.

Meanwhile, Amber Kinetics is engaged in development of renewable energy using flywheel storage battery. “The engineering students will benefit from the knowledge of this technology and do research and development on the scheduling of energy utilization in the campus.”

“We are looking forward in the establishment of the Logistic Institute, which will promote research and development in the field of supply-chain management. We are also forming an academy that will educate DLSU students on network, switching, and iCloud technology, power electronics and railway engineering.”

Other courses offered in DLSU Laguna are BS in Computer Engineering, BS Computer Science with specialization in software technology, BS in Electronics Engineering, BS in Industrial Engineering, BS in Information Technology, BS in Marketing Management, BS in Pre-Med Physics, BS in Psychology (pre-med) and BSE in Mathematics.

Moreover, DLSU Laguna offers bachelor of arts programs in international studies (major in Chinese studies and Japanese studies), English studies, and political science, and business courses.