Guimaras State University (GSU) and the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) formally established an institutional partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 3, 2026.
The signing was attended by DOST-PNRI Director Dir. Vallerie Ann Samson, together with Dr. Roland Rallos, Project Leader, and members of the research team. Representing GSU were personnel from the Mango and Tropical Fruits Research Center (MTFRC) and the College of Agricultural Sciences, headed by Dr. Rhea Joy D. Flora. Also present were representatives from the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation (OVPREI), headed by Dr. Julius T. Vergara, along with University Researcher Mr. Julius Remar Gabiota and Research Director Prof. Adrian Alumbro.
The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation between the two institutions, providing opportunities for future collaborative research, knowledge and technology exchange, technical activities, and other mutually beneficial initiatives. Following the signing, representatives from both institutions held a collaborative meeting to discuss the proposed study on heavy metals and trace elements in agricultural crops in Guimaras. The discussion served as an initial step in identifying research priorities and exploring possible areas of technical collaboration for the conduct of the study.
Through this partnership, GSU continues to strengthen its institutional linkages with national research agencies, opening more opportunities to advance research, innovation, and initiatives responsive to the needs of the agricultural sector and local communities.
