DENR Officials Engage in Israel Immersion Study Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

A group of high-ranking officials from the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), including Land Management Bureau Director Emelyne Talabis, and Undersecretaries Jonas Leones and Analiza Teh, participated in a groundbreaking study program that aimed to deepen their understanding of Israel’s innovation ecosystem.

The Israel Immersion Study Program (IISP) took place from July 30 to August 4, 2023, in Haifa, Israel. Organized under CLICK (Executive Course on Leadership, Innovation, Communication, and Knowledge Management), the program aimed to foster knowledge exchange and skill enhancement among top-level officials. Notably, the DENR participants participated in the CLICK program, showcasing their commitment to continuous learning and development.

The IISP is a collaborative effort between the National Union of Career Executive Service Officers, Inc. (NUCESO), the Graduate School of Public and Development Management of the Development Management Academy of the Philippines (GSPDM-DAP), and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. This dynamic partnership facilitated an in-depth exploration of Israel’s innovation landscape, with a specific focus on the integration of technology, entrepreneurship, and policy frameworks.

During the 5-day study program, participants engaged with several prominent Israeli organizations that are instrumental to the country’s thriving innovation ecosystem. The roster of organizations included:

1. MassChallenge: A global network of startup accelerators driving innovation and collaboration.
2. Israel Innovation Authority (IIA): A government agency responsible for fostering industrial innovation and technological advancement.
3. Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology: A key governmental body steering Israel’s strategic approach to innovation and technology.
4. Yissum – Technology Transfer Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: A pioneer in transferring academic research into real-world applications.
5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center of the Hebrew University: A hub for entrepreneurial education and support.
6. Israel Innovation Institute: A catalyst for driving innovation processes across various sectors.
7. The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation: An institution focused on advancing innovation and promoting peaceful coexistence.
8. Haifa Economic Corporation: A local entity driving economic development and growth in the Haifa region.
9. Sarona Partners – Global Ecosystem: A venture capital firm with a strong emphasis on technology and innovation.

The IISP was designed to achieve two primary objectives. Firstly, it aimed to fortify the skill sets and knowledge of CLICK participants in the realms of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Secondly, the program facilitated a hands-on exploration of Israel’s exemplary practices in business, entrepreneurship, community building, and development. This, in turn, would facilitate the exchange of expertise across various sectors within the Philippines’ own ecosystem.

The IISP succeeded in providing the DENR officials with an immersive understanding of Israel’s exceptional achievements in business, technology, innovation, and policy frameworks.