UP to open campus in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines – The Villar family and  Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. donated five hectares of land to the University of the Philippines (UP) as part of the University Town of Vista City.

The new UP technology innovation campus will rise in Dasmariñas, Cavite as part of Vista Land's integrated urban development project, according to a statement from the university.

"This campus is intended to facilitate collaboration and develop partnerships with industries and business enterprises within CALABARZON for the promotion of education, training, and research in innovation," the statement read.

Sen. Cynthia Villar said the new UP Vista City will be the site of the country's first School of Technopreneurship.

UP President Alfredo Pascual, Vista Land president and CEO Manuel Paolo Villar, Sen. Cynthia Villar, and Vista Land Chairman Manuel Villar Jr. UP Vice Presidents Gisela Concepcion and Elvira Zamora signed the memorandum of agreement on Monday.

Villar Jr. said that the signing of the agreement will open doors to aspiring technopreneurs and technology industry players.

"[It] is envisioned to become the birthplace of local tech start-ups that will ensure that the Philippines will remain competitive in today’s global economy," Villar Jr. said.

On her Facebook account, Sen. Villar said that Vista Land will build the initial facilities while UP will design the programs that will be offered in the campus.

"Both Manny Villar and I are alumni of University of the Philippines Diliman and we are happy to pay it forward to our alma mater and future 'Iskolar ng Bayan,'" the senator said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray