On May 7, 2024, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and Kalinga State University (KSU) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a new era of collaboration between the two esteemed institutions.
The signing ceremony, held at UPLB, was attended by key representatives from both universities, including UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. and KSU President Eduardo T. Bagtang. Engr. Marck Ferdie V. Eusebio and Engr. Ronnie C. Valencia served as witnesses on behalf of BIOMECH Director, Dr. Ronel S. Pangan. Along with Dr. Jenielyn T. Padrones, Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education (OIDHE) Director, served as witnesses for UPLB. Dr. Lope T. Buen, Vice President for Research, Development, Extension and Training, served as witness for KSU. This event signifies the commitment of both institutions to academic and research excellence.
The MOU outlines areas for collaboration, including joint research projects, and faculty and student exchange programs. This partnership was made possible with UPLB-BIOMECH’s ongoing project with DOST-PCAARRD, “Compendium of Agricultural and Fisheries Technologies in the Philippines”. The project involves a data collection effort across the Philippines, focusing on agricultural technologies developed by HEIs/SUCs, RDIs, and local manufacturers. This MOU signing is a product of the Compendium Project’s visit last March 13, 2024 to KSU.
The “Compendium of Agricultural and Fisheries Technologies in the Philippines” continues to expand its reach and impact, setting a precedent for how academic institutions can play a pivotal role in the nation’s development through strategic partnerships and collaborative ventures.
(Yara Ayman El Adawi)