University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute

What University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute does

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) is a constituent academic institute of the University of the Philippines College of Science, headquartered within the UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City, Philippines. Established on 28 March 1974 (originally as the Marine Sciences Center), UP MSI conducts research and graduate-level education across marine biology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography, marine geology, and marine biotechnology. The institute is served by 24 faculty members, 146 research/extension/professional staff and graduate students, and over 100 full-time administrative personnel, and currently implements 48 externally funded research projects. Its research infrastructure includes the Bolinao Marine Laboratory (BML) in Pangasinan, the Pag-asa Island Research Station (PIRS) in the West Philippine Sea, the National Academic Research Fleet (NARFleet), the Marine Biodiversity Resources and Information System (MBRIS), the UP Center for Research and Awareness of Diverse Living Environments (UP CRADLE) in Puerto Galera, and the G.T. Velasquez Phycological Herbarium.

UP MSI's product portfolio is structured around academic programs (M.S. and Ph.D. in Marine Science with specializations in marine biology, marine physical sciences, and marine biotechnology; and a Professional Masters in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management aimed at non-academic professionals), research services delivered through 48 externally funded projects, and extension/technical services including workshops, training courses, and consultancy for public and private agencies on coastal zone management, habitat restoration, mariculture, and science-based decision support. The institute is not a commercial entity; it operates within a state university system and is led by Director Dr. Arturo O. Lluisma, with faculty including National Scientists and NAST academicians.

Revenue mechanics combine graduate program tuition, externally funded research grants (the dominant operational funding channel), and fee-based technical services and consultancy. The customer base is concentrated in graduate students, Philippine government agencies requiring marine science expertise, and private sector/community partners seeking extension services. Distribution occurs through direct academic enrollment within the UP system, project-based engagement with government and institutional partners, and on-site training delivery across multiple regional facilities. The institute's geographic reach is regionally anchored in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, with an aspirational vision of becoming a global center of excellence in marine science.

Name

University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute

Legal name

University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute

Website

https://msi.upd.edu.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute is a state-university research and graduate education institute that conducts marine science research and offers M.S., Ph.D., and Professional Masters programs, serving graduate students, Philippine government agencies, and private-sector partners through five regional research facilities and 48 externally funded projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Science Research and Higher Education

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAE

Marine & Freshwater Conservation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPAIAMAI

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYBPADALAI

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Marine science research
• Oceanographic research services
• Graduate marine education
• Marine biotechnology research
• Coastal resource management

Headquarters

HQ city

Quezon

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Graduate Education: UP MSI generates revenue through graduate program tuition and fees for M.S., Ph.D., and Professional Masters programs in marine science disciplines.
2. Research Grants and Projects: Externally funded research projects supported by government agencies, international organizations, and private sector collaborators. The institute currently implements 48 externally funded research projects.
3. Technical Services and Consultancy: Extension services including technical consulting for public and private agencies on marine protection and management, biotechnology, and product development projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UP MSI conducts multidisciplinary marine science research and offers graduate-level academic programs (M.S. and Ph.D. in Marine Science, and Professional Masters in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management). The institute operates specialized research facilities including the Bolinao Marine Laboratory, Pag-asa Island Research Station, UP CRADLE, the National Academic Research Fleet, and the Marine Biodiversity Resources and Information System (MBRIS). It also delivers extension services, technical training, and consultancy on marine protection, biotechnology, and coastal resource management to government agencies and private sector partners.

Product overview

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) is a constituent institute of the University of the Philippines College of Science that operates as a center of excellence for marine research, education, and development. Rather than a commercial software product company, UP MSI offers a portfolio of academic programs (M.S., Ph.D. in Marine Science, and Professional Masters in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management), research services across marine biology, physical sciences, and marine biotechnology, and operates multiple research facilities including the Bolinao Marine Laboratory, National Academic Research Fleet (NARFleet), Marine Biodiversity Resources and Information System (MBRIS), Pag-asa Island Research Station, and UP CRADLE. The institute also provides extension services through technical training, workshops, and consultations on marine protection, management, and biotechnology for public and private agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M.S. and Ph.D. Programs in Marine Science Graduate research degree programs offered by UP MSI with specializations in marine biology, marine physical sciences, and marine biotechnology. Programs train students in oceanography, marine ecology, and advanced scientific research methodologies, supported by research assistantships and scholarships.
• Professional Masters in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management (PM-TMEM) Professional master's program designed for non-academic professionals, with an initial focus on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), providing training in coastal zone management and marine resource sustainability for working professionals outside academia.
• Bolinao Marine Laboratory (BML) Research Station Main research station of UP MSI located in Bolinao, Pangasinan on the northern corner of the Lingayen Gulf. Recognized as one of the leading scientific institutions in Southeast Asia for marine research, supporting field-based studies, training, and extension activities.
• Pag-asa Island Research Station (PIRS) Research station of UP MSI located on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, enabling marine science activities and research in that maritime region.
• UP Center for Research and Awareness of Diverse Living Environments (UP CRADLE) UP MSI facility located in Puerto Galera, focused on marine research and environmental awareness in diverse living marine environments.
• National Academic Research Fleet (NARFleet) Program of UP MSI providing better access to ocean research vessels and equipment for both the academe and the Philippine government, aimed at empowering local marine scientific research capacity.
• Marine Biodiversity Resources and Information System (MBRIS) UP MSI facility maintaining biodiversity data and resources for marine research, providing information systems for marine biodiversity knowledge dissemination.
• G.T. Velasquez Phycological Herbarium Herbarium collection managed by UP MSI for preserving and studying marine plant specimens, supporting seaweed taxonomy and biodiversity research across Philippine waters.
• Technical Training and Extension Services Workshops, conferences, and training courses delivered by UP MSI on survey and monitoring techniques, coastal zone management, habitat restoration, mariculture, and science-based decision support systems. Public and private agencies consult UP MSI for projects on marine protection, management, biotechnology, and product development.
• Marine Science Research Services Externally funded research services across marine biology, marine physical sciences, and marine biotechnology, delivered to government agencies and partners through 48 ongoing research projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports 48 externally funded research projects
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI): German Helmholtz Centre for polar and marine research with research vessels and stations. Comparable as a government-funded marine science institute conducting interdisciplinary marine research across biology, geology, chemistry, and oceanography.
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel: German government-funded marine research institute covering oceanography, marine biology, and marine chemistry with research vessels and international partnerships. Comparable in scope and breadth of marine science disciplines covered.
• Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS): UK-based marine science research and education charity operating the MBA-aligned marine research portfolio with graduate programs (UHI). Comparable as a marine science institute combining research, graduate education, and policy consultancy.
• National Oceanography Centre (NOC): UK-based national ocean research facility operating research vessels, autonomous platforms, and graduate training programs. Directly comparable as a publicly funded, multi-disciplinary marine science research institution with a national mandate.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Premier independent marine research organization in the US with a research fleet, deep-sea exploration capacity, and graduate-level education (joint with MIT). Highly comparable as a flagship marine research institution with similar research-vessel infrastructure and interdisciplinary marine science portfolio.
• Plymouth Marine Laboratory: UK marine research institute with strengths in marine ecology, biogeochemistry, and coastal oceanography. Comparable as a mid-sized marine science institute combining research, graduate training, and applied consulting services for government and private clients.
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS): Australian government-backed marine science institute conducting tropical marine research with research stations, vessels, and graduate training. Closest functional peer to UP MSI given its national-mandate structure, tropical marine focus, and government ownership model.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: One of the world's oldest and largest marine science research institutions within the University of California San Diego. Directly comparable as a university-based marine research institute offering graduate programs, operating a research fleet, and conducting marine biology, oceanography, and climate research.
• Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: Independent US marine research institute with research focus on microbial oceanography, ocean biogeochemistry, and education programs. Comparable as a mid-sized marine research institute combining active research output with graduate training capacity.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): Privately funded marine research institute focused on ocean technology and deep-sea research. Comparable as a marine science research institution with proprietary research infrastructure (vessels, ROVs) and significant institutional backing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/up_msi
• Facebookfacebook.com/upmarinescienceinstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/up.msi
• TikToktiktok.com/@up_msi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute