op@clsu.edu.ph (044) 940 8785
CLSU Logo

Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

University

CLSU JOINS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION ON SUSTAINING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM

Dec. 12, 2021

Strategic Communication Office | SCO

The quest to push for the protection, conservation, enhancement, and promotion of Filipino culture in an international landscape took a step forward on August 19, 2021, with the launch of the project dubbed as ‘Intensifying the Filipino Culture towards Sustained Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge System in Saving Natural Habitat, Landscape, and Practices through Cultural Education and Community Development’. This CHED-funded program amounting to 38 million pesos is an initiative of the Philippine Canada Education Consortium Magic 7+ (PhilCanEDUCON Magic 7+) composed of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Benguet State University, Central Mindanao University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, University of Southeastern Philippines, and the University of Saskatchewan (USask). According to Dr. Marlowe Aquino, program lead from MMSU, this endeavor will drive the internationalization of the Magic 7+ academic programs, R&D initiatives, and partnerships among higher education institutions. He also highlighted the indigenous knowledge (IK) system and practices in agriculture, environment and natural resources, arts, and knowledge management through exchange and dissemination are covered in the project. The components of this program include capacity buildings on IK systems and professional exchange, R&D activities to address indigenous knowledge system and cultural management (IKSCM) issues and concerns, and KM through the development of instructional materials and publications. Present in the virtual event are Dr. Meghna Ramaswamy, Director, International Relations Office, USask and Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director and Director for International Affairs of CHED, together with the officials of the seven participating State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). In a message delivered, Atty. Milla commended the PhilCanEDUCON Magic 7+ for the initiatives and extended her gratitude and appreciation on behalf of CHED. “We acknowledge your efforts and commitment to the IKSCM program in the pursuit to continue various initiatives that promote accessibility, sustainability, diversity, and equity that is beneficial for all students, faculty, and staff of your institutions in these unprecedented times,” she added. She also challenged the SUCs to make this project a hallmark of best practices on IK and how it can become the best practices of higher education projects that CHED has funded for both local and international collaboration. After the launch, the inception meeting followed wherein all seven SUCs presented their proposed project for implementation. CLSU, through Dr. Angeles M. de Leon, project lead and faculty at the Department of Biology, presented the project which will enable the documentation of IK on mushrooms and plants utilized by the indigenous peoples (IPs) that live in the mountainous areas of Central Luzon – the Agta and Bungkalots. According to Dr. de leon, this research could lead to the preservation of IPs cultural heritage before it becomes extinct due to modernization as well as to the discovery and harnessing of wild mushrooms and plants with pharmacological potentials. The launching and inception meeting, which lasted for six hours, hopes to deliver the intended goals of the program, and realize that by tracing back the Filipino culture, real development can happen in the future.

Other Stories

NAP, CLSU Hold Seminar Workshop on Basic Records and Archive Mgmt

The National Archives of the Philippines (NAP), in partnership with Central Luzon State University (CLSU), initiated a two-day seminar workshop on the importance of Basic Records and Archive Management (BARM) in government offices across the province. It was held on April 23-24, 2025 at the OVPAA Amphitheater in CLSU. The seminar on BARM informed the different agencies' record keepers on the overview of the Records and Archives Management Program (RAMP), including records maintenance, security, and preservation of records, among others. Senior Records Management Analyst, Ms. Ehxia R. Dondonilla, Senior Archivist, Ms. Cheryl B. Alvares, Training Specialist, Mr. Gerald F. Requesto, and Chief, Training and Information Division, Ms. Gina M. Papa from NAP served as the resource persons who shared their knowledge and experiences, as well as the techniques in Basic Records and Archive Management. Vice President for Administration Dr. Ariel G. Mactal conveyed his sincere appreciation to the NAP for their presence and unwavering dedication to enhancing records management across all government agencies within our province. He emphasized that the seminar workshop transcends more than the technical skills and management systems as it concerns the preservation of collective history. “Each document must be safeguarded, every record properly filed, and each archive preserved contributes to the broader narrative of our province, our institution, and our nation. These are not merely papers; they embody the story of our identity,” said Dr. Mactal. The event was attended by representatives from state universities and colleges (SUCs), including CLSU and NEUST; attached agencies from the Department of Agriculture such as the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao Center, and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization; Local government units (LGUs) from Talavera, General Natividad, Bongabon, Carranglan, Aliaga, Cuyapo, Science City of Muñoz, General Tinio, Palayan; other institutions such as Civil Service Commission Field Office in Nueva Ecija, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan, Talavera General Hospital, and Palayan City Hospital.

Apr. 29, 2025

CLSU, TAO Foods Company Sign Agreement to Commercialize PhilSCAT-bred Rice Varieties

University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, together with Mr. Julio D. Sy, Jr., Owner of the TAO Foods Company Inc. (TFCI), signed a new licensing agreement to commercialize four new hybrid rice varieties bred by experts from the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT). The ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) took place during the North Luzon Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit 2025, held on April 23-24 in Baguio City. This event, hosted by the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Autonomous Region, attracted innovators, technology adopters, and higher education institutions from the region, as well as from Regions 1, 2, and 3. The agreement provided the TFCI the right to commercialize the Hybrid Rice Mestizo 125, 126, 127, and 128 for a period of 6 years. In return, CLSU as the owner of these varieties, will receive royalty fees from this agreement that will later on benefit the ongoing and future research activities of the university. Director Dr. Julius Cesar Sicat from DOST R3 expressed his support to this initiative by gracing the event, along with CLSU faculty member Dr. Jerwin Undan, who served as a witness during the MOA signing.

Apr. 23, 2025

CLSU Climbs to 16th Spot Nationally in AD Scientific Index 2025; Highlights Strong Researcher Presence

Central Luzon State University (CLSU) is making significant strides towards its goal of being recognized as a world-class National Research University. According to the latest Alper-Doger Scientific Index (AD Index), CLSU has risen to 16th place among 388 institutions in the Philippines, up from its previous position of 19th. This ranking assessed the scientific performance and productivity of universities and R&D institutions as well as its researchers, and it includes a notable representation of 221 CLSU scholars. Dr. Elmar M. Villota leads the group with the highest H-index, followed by Dr. Hazel Monica M. Peralta, Dr. Wendy C. Mateo, Dr. Rich Milton R. Dulay, and Dr. Sofronio P. Kalaw. With its dedication to research excellence, CLSU maintains its strong standing among public universities in the Philippines, ranking 7th in H-index value and 10th in citation count.

Apr. 16, 2025

View More