4-5 November 2026

Benguet State University, through the Intellectual Property Management Office (BSU – IPMO), conducted a hybrid training-seminar on regional patent mining at the Everlasting Hall, Research and Extension Building, La Trindad, Benguet. The two-day activity gathered 84 participants from BSU and other state universities and colleges.

During the opening session, Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Project 1 staff member Erickson N. Dominguez presented the rationale and welcomed the participants. He explained that the activity aimed to strengthen their understanding of patent analytics, keyword-based searches, and strategies for identifying existing technologies relevant to their research and intellectual property applications.

IP Data Management Division Chief Michael Karl M. Barnuevo served as the resource speaker, discussing various aspects of patent mining and facilitating related learning activities. Participants also shared their reflections on the knowledge and skills gained during the training.

In her closing remarks, IPMO Director Cynthia D. Garambas highlighted the importance of expanding research success beyond academic publications. She encouraged participants to use patent mining to identify technological trends, explore untapped research opportunities, avoid duplication, and guide the development of innovations responsive to community needs.

“Patent mining is more than just a legal exercise or specialized tool for IP lawyers. For researchers, scientists, and academicians, this is also a strategic compass” Garambas said.

She emphasized that the knowledge gained from the training could help researchers transform laboratory and field outputs into protected, high-value assets with practical benefits for communities. She also urged participants to revisit their research projects through an intellectual property perspective and explore how their findings could contribute to innovation and economic growth.

Garambas concluded by thanking the participants and resource speaker, encouraging them to apply their learning in their respective institutions and workplaces, not only for research, protection, or professional achievement, but also for community improvement.//EBawang