CLSU Inks MOU with UPLB to Develop Academic and Educational Cooperation

To develop an academic and educational cooperation, CLSU President, Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) headed by its Chancellor, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., today, July 2, 2024 at the Office of the Chancellor, UPLB, Laguna. Collaborative activities such as exchange of faculty, researchers and students, conduct of R&D projects, symposia and capacity-building programs and other academic cooperation as mutually agreed will be covered under the MOU. In his message, Dr. Abella underscored the importance of this partnership to further amplify the efforts of CLSU in creating impact to the local and international community. He also added that as the representative of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region 3, this partnership will surely open more opportunities to sustain and improve the stature of Central Luzon for having some of the leading higher education institutions in the country. “The initiative of UPLB to open its gates to us is very much appreciated, because this act of being a “big brother” to other SUCs is also one of our best practices where we assist other institutions to make sure that all of us will grow, improve and so that no SUC will be left behind,” Dr. Abella added. On the other hand, Dr. Camacho recognized the commitment of CLSU to this partnership to co-create knowledge and come up with activities which are mutually beneficial to our institutions and our fellow SUCs. “This ceremony marks the signing of the 99th partnership of UPLB with SUCs in support to our various initiatives like the Higher Education Leadership Mentoring Seminar (HELMS) fellowship to host faculty and staff from other higher education institutions, among other projects and initiatives UPLB has prepared, to respond to the call of the Commissioner of Higher Education to expand the reach of our services and expertise to other SUCs in the country,” said Dr. Camacho. Present as witnesses during the ceremony are Dr. Franz Marielle N. Garcia, Faculty Researcher and International Coordinator for Research of CLSU, along with Dr. Jenielyn T. Padrones, Director, Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education and Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of UPLB. The following SUC Presidents were also in attendance to sign their respective MOU with UPLB: Dr. Amabel S Liao, Western Philippines University; Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., Biliran Province State University; and Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, Catanduanes State University. Representatives from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Korea International Cooperation Agency as collaborators of the for the three-year collaboration also graced the event.