Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija — A delegation from the Rizal Technological University (RTU) visited the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NUEST) on September 30, 2025, for a benchmarking activity focused on herbal processing, food innovation, and income-generating projects.

The benchmarking visit was conducted at NUEST’s Bauertek Project Site in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, where the RTU team learned about the university’s successful collaboration with Bauertek Corporation in developing herbal-based products and processing technologies.

The RTU delegation was headed by Inst. Donato Z. Estocada, Director of the International Affairs and Linkages Office (IALO), together with Asst. Prof. Marie Joy Jorduela of BRGASO and Engr. Niño Augusto Curpos of the Project Management Office (PMO).

During the visit, the RTU team engaged in a productive benchmarking activity with NUEST officials and project managers overseeing the university’s income-generating projects (IGPs). The discussions centered on operational models, sustainability strategies, and innovation-driven community partnerships.

The team also toured several NUEST facilities, including the Food Innovation Center, Bauertek Herbal Processing Plant, and the model farm for Moringa and Turmeric cultivation. These visits provided valuable insights into how agricultural resources can be transformed into commercially viable and health-promoting products.

This initiative forms part of RTU’s strategic preparation for the planned development of the Baras Land Project, envisioned to house RTU’s own Herbal Processing and Food Processing Plant. The university aims to integrate research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable local industries and expanding its community impact.

“This benchmarking activity is a significant step toward realizing RTU’s goal of developing a functional and sustainable herbal and food processing facility,” said Instructor Estocada. “We are grateful to NUEST for their warm accommodation and for sharing best practices that will help shape RTU’s upcoming initiatives.”

The visit strengthened institutional ties between RTU and NUEST and opened up future avenues for collaboration in research, innovation, and technology development, aligning with both universities’ missions to advance science and serve local communities.