TSU Explores Partnership with Wadhwani Foundation to Boost Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Skilling

Tarlac State University (TSU), through the Office of International Affairs and Linkages (OIAL) in collaboration with the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), facilitated an exploratory meeting with the Wadhwani Foundation (WF), an international non-government organization, on April 30, 2025.

During the meeting, Wadhwani Foundation Senior Consultant Mr. Rodnie Matt Matias presented several innovative platforms developed by WF, which he proposed to offer to TSU completely free of charge. The initiative aligns with WF’s goal of forming a formal partnership with the university through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Among the platforms discussed were:

Wadhwani Innovation Network: Focused on supporting the commercialization of academic research within the university. WF offers assistance in securing funding for existing research projects and proposals. Mr. Matias highlighted that proceeds from commercialized research may be used to support student scholarship programs.

Wadhwani Skilling Network: Designed to equip faculty, staff, and students with essential new-age skills to help them secure sustainable, family-supporting employment.

Government Digital Transformation: Aims to enable and enhance government programs through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Wadhwani Entrepreneurship Network: Created to support entrepreneurship through customized interventions. Mr. Matias emphasized that this initiative would involve capacity-building programs for faculty members with entrepreneurial backgrounds, who will, in turn, train their students using WF’s tools and frameworks.

TSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg acknowledged the potential benefits of the proposal and expressed her support in formalizing the partnership. She emphasized the relevance of the programs—particularly for faculty members teaching technopreneurship courses in the College of Business and Accountancy—who would gain innovative and practical approaches to teaching entrepreneurship.

The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), in coordination with OIAL and CBA, will convene to finalize the list of faculty members who will undergo the in-person capacity-building program to be facilitated by WF.

The next steps for TSU include confirming the participating faculty, coordinating with the legal team to review the draft MOA provisions, and scheduling the formal signing of the agreement—anticipated to take place at TSU with the presence of Wadhwani Foundation representatives.