With a shared goal to forge partnership among institutions, DMMMSU, together with 14 other State Universities and Colleges in the Philippines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kansas State University on August 24, 2021 via Zoom.
Based on the MOU, the 15 SUCs and Kansas State University agreed to the exchange of scholars and scientists to conduct research of mutual interest, exchange of professors for lectures and short term visits, invitations to scholars for participation in conferences, symposia and instruction, and exchange of information, academic materials, and publications in fields of interest.
Dr. Jaime I. Manuel Jr., DMMMSU President, was present during the virtual MOU signing. Also present were Dr. Analyn V. Sagun, Dean of the College of Agriculture of DMMMSU-NLUC, and Dr. Jimilee M. Garcia, Program Chair of the Animal Science Department of the College of Agriculture.
The 14 other SUCs include Caraga State University, Catanduanes State University, Central Luzon State University, Central Philippines State University, Davao del Sur State College, Mariano Marcos State University, Marinduque State College, Mindanao State University, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Philippine Christian University, Occidental Mindoro State College, Romblon State University, University of the Philippines «app Los Baños, and the University of Southern Mindanao.
«appThis is a spin-off of the Conservation Agriculture webinar, which began in October 2020 and included participants from several SUCs and expert resource person Dr. Manny Reyes of Kansas State University. The webinar was coordinated by Romblon State University.«app Dr. Sagun explained during an interview.
During the ceremony, Dr. Reyes shared a succinct discussion on conservation agriculture. In his lecture, Dr. Manny emphasized the riveting role of conservation agriculture in mitigating climate change, enhancing soil-air-water-biodiversity health, and nurturing partnerships and peaceful communities while being able to equitably grow and produce nutritious food.
Dr. Reyes, whose experience in water quality modeling, natural resource management, and conservation agriculture spans for over 32 years, also highlighted the great potential of the Philippines for conservation agriculture.
«appThe Philippines has several laws and initiatives on organic agriculture. So what we will do is, we will enhance and strengthen the organic agriculture in the Philippines by integrating conservation agriculture.«app Dr. Reyes mentioned this in his lecture.
Meanwhile, Dr. Grant Champman, Kansas State University’s associate provost for international programs, also graced the virtual MOU signing. During his concluding speech, he extended his sincerest gratitude to the participants, organizers, and partner agencies and expressed his excitement to work and learn from the different SUCs about conservation agriculture.
«appWe wish all the best [and] that we go through with this global pandemic together, that we can get out of this pandemic and help feed the world safely and sustainably,«app Dr. Champman underscored.
Kansas State University is a public land-grant research university in Manhattan, Kansas, USA. (Jerald Saculles)