In a significant step towards strengthening academic collaboration, a team from Guimaras State University (GSU), led by University President Dr. Lilian Diana B. Parreño, visited University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to formalize an alliance through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The visit, held from January 17–18, 2023, also included a comprehensive benchmarking activity at the College of Agriculture and Food Science laboratories, aiming to enhance research and academic cooperation between the two higher education institutions.
The MOU was officially signed at the Office of the Chancellor, UPLB, by Dr. Parreño and Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor of UPLB, marking the beginning of a collaborative partnership that will foster academic growth and research excellence. The agreement is intended to promote interinstitutional understanding, facilitate joint academic programs, and encourage collaborative research projects in agriculture, food science, and other fields of mutual interest.
This partnership aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. By fostering such collaborations, GSU and UPLB aim to create an environment that supports academic excellence, research innovation, and capacity building, ultimately contributing to a quality education system in the Philippines.
“Through this collaboration, we hope to enhance our academic offerings and provide our students with the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research and learning experiences,” said Dr. Parreño during the MOU signing. “This partnership is an important step towards ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the future, not only in agriculture and food science but in a wide range of disciplines.”
As part of the collaboration, both universities will share best practices in research, teaching methodologies, and resource development. The benchmarking activities conducted at UPLB’s laboratories provided GSU’s faculty and students with valuable insights into advanced research techniques, laboratory management, and innovations in agriculture, setting the stage for future academic exchanges and joint research projects.
