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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

CLSU, Japanese Institutions Address Key Issues in Banana and Cacao at Int’l Forum

Sep. 27, 2024

StratCom | SCO

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and Tamagawa University (TU) of Japan, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), tackled key issues and concerns in banana and cacao production, with a focus on disease management, during an International Forum held today, September 27, 2024, at the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Quezon City. The event brought together various stakeholders from the industry to discuss challenges and solutions. Dubbed as the 1st International Stakeholders’ Forum of Banana and Cacao Diseases Management (BaCaDM) in the Philippines, Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, CLSU President and BaCaDM Project Director, delivered an opening message recognizing the crucial roles of all stakeholders involved in this JICA-funded project. In his speech, President Abella emphasized the vital importance of active participation and commitment from all stakeholders to achieve the project's objectives. He assured the attendees that CLSU remains fully committed to supporting the initiative, aiming to benefit not only the banana and cacao industries but also the workers and consumers who rely on them. “CLSU will stay committed to innovative efforts in agricultural research and development and in harnessing our international linkages for programs and projects like this that will benefit the people not only in our local communities but all over the world,” said Dr. Abella. The forum was attended by researchers from CLSU and TU, representatives from JICA, Officers from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, banana and cacao producers, and importers group, as well as the heads of agencies under DA-led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., represented by DA-BPI Director, Dr. Glenn Gerard Panganiban. Also present were Dr. Ariel G. Mactal, VP for Administration and Deputy Project Director, Dr. Parsons N. Hail, Project Manager along with the Project leaders and staff Dr. Elaida R. Fiegalan, Dr. Garry Benico, and Dr. Jay C. Santos.

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    Goal 4: Quality Education

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    Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

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CLSU Secures 10 Million Pesos HUSAY Grant, Signs MOA with CHED

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through the Precision and Digital Agriculture Center (PreDiCt), secured a 10-million peso fund from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty (HUSAY) Grant for the upskilling program dubbed SPECTRA: Smart, Precision, Enhanced Digital, and Climate-Smart Technologies for Resilient Agriculture. The program is funded under the Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty (HUSAY) Program. To officially mark the implementation of the approved program, Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, CLSU President, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Dr. Shirley Agrupis, CHED Chairperson, held today, December 15, at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, in conjunction with the 2nd National Teacher Education Summit. Endorsed by Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, Chair of the CLSU Board of Regents and Commissioner of CHED, the said grant will provide a comprehensive capacity-building initiative for SUC faculty nationwide aimed at closing the gap where most have limited exposure to essential modern technologies like drones, remote sensing, Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors, and Artificial Intelligence. The program, which will run for a year, is designed to provide intensive, hands-on training focused on smart, precision, digital, and climate-smart agriculture enabling the trainees to produce outputs such as drone maps, IoT monitoring plans, and institutional extension proposals. Present as witnesses were Dr. Jonathan V. Fabula, CLSU PreDiCt Director and program proponent, and Atty. Cinderella Filipina S. Benitez-Jaro, CHED Executive Director IV, and other officials. #SievingForExcellence

Dec. 15, 2025

CLSU, SCNU Expand Partnership to Elevate Research and Global Competitiveness

Central Luzon State University (CLSU) welcomed a high-level delegation from Sunchon National University (SCNU), Republic of Korea, today, December 15, marking a significant step in expanding the partnership that began with the successful establishment of the King Sejong Institute (KSI) Muñoz. The delegation, which included Dr. Ki-Chang Nam, SCNU Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Kang Seok Seo, Dean of the Office of International Affairs & Education, and six professors from the Department of Animal Science, was received by Dr. Karenina B. Romualdo, CLSU's Vice President for Business Affairs, as representative of University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella. During the welcome remarks, Dr. Nam expressed profound appreciation for CLSU. He specifically lauded the successful one-year establishment of the KSI Muñoz, calling it a testament to strong university collaboration. Dr. Nam emphasized that the partnership was moving "beyond formal agreements" and into a phase of "truly practical and meaningful partnership," stating, "The steady program we have made together is a strong and confident step to grow. Once again, I would like to express my humble thanks to everyone in CLSU." Following the greetings, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, CLSU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of KSI-Muñoz, set the tone for the day's events as she declared: "Today, I believe that we will make another history by establishing the Green Smart Laboratory of the CLSU College of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science. This is another momentous event for CLSU to welcome you all.” Dr. Romualdo, on the other hand, underscored the partnership's focus on tangible impact, sharing, "We are also glad that we have heard some of the good news, apart from the establishment of the KSI Muñoz, but of course the transformation of the knowledge and technology to our community and of course to our country. So that is good news that we have a transformational partnership between the two of us.” The main agenda of the visit focused on the proposed Animal Science Joint Research Center, also called the Green Smart Farm Joint Research Center, and academic collaboration. SCNU and CLSU Animal Science faculty met to discuss the center’s establishment, research grants, funding, and co-authored research papers. Simultaneously, Dr. Kang and Dr. Mijoon Pak, SCNU Research Professor, held a separate discussion with Dr. Velasco regarding the formal operational management of the KSI-Muñoz. For the next day, the SCNU delegation will focus on engagement with CLSU's high school community, including meetings with officials and faculty of the University Science High School (USHS) and the Agricultural Science and Technology School (ASTS), along with conducting Korean Cultural Classes for their students. The visit is a promising continuation of the CLSU-SCNU collaboration, moving beyond language and cultural exchange to significant research cooperation aimed at local community benefits and international academic recognition.

Dec. 15, 2025

CLSU Produces 127 New Licensed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers, Exceeds National Passing Rate

As one of the University’s flagship programs, the College of Engineering – Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering proudly celebrates the outstanding performance of its graduates in the December 2025 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers Licensure Examination (ABELE) where CLSU achieved an impressive 64.80% overall institutional passing rate, surpassing the national passing rate of 59.14%. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the official results on December 11, 2025, listing 127 “Golden Grains” composed of 94 first-time takers and 33 repeaters, who now join the roster of licensed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering professionals. Congratulations to our new Licensed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers! List of Passers: (To follow)

Dec. 12, 2025

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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3120
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