On March 19, 2024, three Japanese professors visited Benguet State University to explore potential collaborations in the academe and research. Mina Hori, Iwasa Kazuyuki, and Yoshiaki Iiguni, professors of Kochi Unversity, Japan, engaged with university representatives to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions.
A meeting was conducted to discuss the MOU. In his welcoming remarks, VPRE Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres emphasized the university’s need for international research collaboration and the publication of international researchers in the MSJIR, BSU’s official University Research Journal. He also shared his goals for each research center to have international research partners.
The group proceeded to discuss the details of the aforementioned MOU, with REPO Director Cheryll C. Launio and IRO Director Rex John G. Bawang facilitating the session. The proposed collaborative activities and programs covered research cooperation, faculty and researcher exchange, among others. Protocols for forging international partnerships were also discussed, including the time frame for the approval of the document.
Among the participating BSU representatives were OVPRE Researcher Matyline Camfili-Talastas, CA representative Samuel L. Duyan, OU Assistant Director Rashid B. Lokines, NPRCTC Researchers Jennie Balao and Gabby Dao-ines, ISRD Researcher Kacy O. Labon, and IRO staff Glyrel B. Palberas. Jessica Rivera, a grantee of the Kochi University Sakura Science Exchange Program and faculty from CA, also attended the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, the group attended the flag ceremony at the Benguet Provincial Capitol where they met with Governor Melchor D. Diclas. A courtesy visit to the President Felipe Salaing Comila was also conducted.
In addition to exploring partnership opportunities, the visiting Japanese delegation conducted interviews in the province. Their focus was on Filipino interns who had undergone training programs in Japan. The purpose of these interviews was to evaluate the impact of the training program on the interns upon their return to the Philippines.
