It is the first of its kind to be led by a private higher education institution.
Recently, the De La Salle University (DLSU) marks another milestone after launching the first Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park Ecozone at its Laguna Campus.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), KIST fosters collaboration between the academe, industry, government, and the society.
The said initiative was made possible through a three-way partnership, with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) also taking part.
The designation of the park as an ecozone was formalized under Presidential Proclamation No. 985, Series of 2025, issued on July 30, 2025, by the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
DOST Sec. Renato Solidum explained, “These Ecozones are not just physical spaces, but centers of convergence, where science and technology meet entrepreneurship, and where bold ideas are transformed into opportunities that create jobs, foster businesses, and stimulate inclusive economic growth.”
He also emphasized the crucial role that learning institutions play in converting scientific research into inclusive, real-world economic development.
Solidum also noted, “De La Salle, they have a lot of research and development results that can be commercialized, and they have companies that they can grow,” and likewise highlighted the immediate economic and job-generating impacts of such projects.
In addition, he also mentioned the importance of increasing the presence of researchers in the private sector, as with the establishment of KIST Ecozones within universities, locators now have access to facilities and experts for their research and development (R&D) initiatives.
Hence, this support may also encourage them to create their own R&D teams, leading to the hiring of more researchers in the private sector.
For his part, DLSU President Bro. Bernard S. Oca FSC, DLSU President, said that the broader vision behind the Innovation Hub, to serve as a beacon of progress, collaboration, and transformative impact.
“DLSU Innovation Hub should be a catalyst of innovation-led economic activity, empowering our scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, faculty, and students to co-create solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time,” he added.
Meanwhile, PEZA’s Rowena Naguit shared, “As we stand in this exciting new frontier, let us remember, every innovation begins with imagination, every transformation begins with education, and every milestone begins with partnership. May this innovation help continue to shine as a beacon of creativity, collaboration and continuous learning.”
The KIST Ecozone is located at the DLSU Science and Technology Complex in Biñan City, Laguna.
The Innovation Hub specializes in Advanced Biotech Systems and Engineering, including biomedical technologies, genomics, bioinstrumentation, and translational health sciences.
It houses cutting-edge R&D laboratories, startup incubators, innovation spaces, and platforms for knowledge transfer, commercialization, and sustainable development.
The DLSU Innovation Hub now joins Batangas State University (BatStateU) KIST Park, proclaimed under Presidential Proclamation No. 947 in May 2020, as the second KIST Ecozone in CALABARZON and in the country.
Currently, there are over 30 KIST applications currently in the pipeline, and another private HEI already undergoing evaluation.