March 19, 2025 — In a strategic move to revolutionize the university’s multimedia production, Northwest Samar State University conducted a benchmarking activity at FABLAB Bohol, the country’s pioneering fabrication laboratory housed at Bohol Island State University.
The visit provided NwSSU Officials with key insights into the lab’s management systems, operational workflows, innovative practices, and production experiences. These learnings are expected to guide NwSSU in establishing its own fabrication laboratory while enhancing its income-generating projects and technological initiatives.
FABLAB Bohol stands as a model of innovation-driven development. It was established through a collaboration among the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and BISU. Operating under BISU’s Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) division, the facility has become a vital platform for the students, faculty, and researchers to advance their skills in digital fabrication, prototype development, and innovative project implementation—strengthening BISU’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.
Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Darlene Angelica A. Loquias, Head of University Publication at BISU, delivered remarks on behalf of BISU’s Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension. She expressed BISU’s support for NwSSU’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in helping the university establish its own fabrication laboratory—guided by the shared academic spirit of resilience, integrity, service, and excellence.
Dr. Jerome P. Manatad, University Director for FABLAB Bohol, highlighted the lab’s extensive services and its success in positioning BISU as a regional hub for innovation, supporting both academic projects and local industry growth.
With a strong interest in fostering collaboration, BISU and FABLAB Bohol expressed their readiness to support NwSSU by sharing expertise and best practices that could significantly contribute to NwSSU’s capacity-building efforts and future innovation projects.
NwSSU’s benchmarking visit marks a significant step toward expanding the multimedia production and development initiatives, laying the groundwork for growth in communities in Eastern Visayas. The visit to BISU’s FABLAB Bohol is the first of several benchmarking activities lined up for NwSSU, as the university is set to visit other institutions in Central Visayas in the coming days to gather more insights for the development of its own FABLAB.