Caraga State University (CSU), through the TARA Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (TBI), successfully secured a ₱5-million grant from the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The ceremonial awarding of the twenty (20) approved HEDF projects took place during the 32nd Anniversary Celebration of CHED at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City, on June 10, 2026.
Present during the ceremonial awarding were CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, officials from the CHED Central Office, State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Presidents, including CSU President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, and selected SUCs from across the country who were recognized for their innovative and transformative higher education initiatives.
The HEDF grant will support the implementation of the proposed project entitled “Student-Based Incubation Program at CSU: Bridging Technology and Entrepreneurship by Optimizing Ideas to Leverage Start-up Development (SIBOL).” spearheaded by Ms. Jenelyn R. Asis, Project Lead of the TARA Agri-Aqua TBI, in collaboration with Dr. Riah E. Encarnacion, Director of the CSU TBI unit. The initiative is envisioned to strengthen the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by nurturing student-led technology startups.
SIBOL is a two-year incubation initiative designed to develop responsive, innovative, and future-ready student entrepreneurs by transforming promising ideas into viable technology-based startup ventures. Through capacity-building programs, mentoring, incubation support, startup validation, and industry linkages, the project aims to accelerate the commercialization of student innovations and contribute to regional economic growth.
The project also supports the realization of the CHED A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Agenda 2030, aligns with the Philippine Development Plan, and is implemented in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD)
The TARA Agri-Aqua TBI is CSU’s innovation and entrepreneurship hub that supports the incubation, development, and commercialization of solutions and startups in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sectors.
Photo via CHED-OCSCA
