Mariano Marcos
State University

AIT, MMSU gear up for more IZN programs

By Daniel Tapaoan, Jr., 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘳
 

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), together with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), will pursue more internationalization programs in the future following a series of working meetings in Thailand from April 19 to 25.

The MMSU delegation was led by College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) Dean Charlie Batin, together with Mr. John Kenneth Calivoso, a faculty member of the Department of Environmental Science.

One of the initiatives agreed upon is a faculty and student exchange program between MMSU CAFSD and the AIT Faculty of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. Under this program, scholarship opportunities will be offered to graduating students and interested faculty members. Prospective participants will be briefed on AIT's degree offerings in June this year.

Moreover, MMSU CAFSD will pursue collaboration with Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) on research and internship opportunities following a meeting with BIOTEC Senior Researcher Suriyan Cha-um.

Next year, MMSU will also host a research project on the use of sludge as a treatment to enhance the growth of native reforestation species. According to Dr. Batin, a team from Agro-Eco Veda (AEV) will visit MMSU in August this year to explore the project’s implementation in 2027.

Aside from internationalization efforts, Dr. Batin also attended several activities organized by AEV, including visits to Bueng Khong Long Reservoir and Nong Han Lake, as well as meetings with experts from Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Russia. These engagements support joint projects implemented by AEV with partner institutions such as AIT and MMSU.

Dr. Batin participated in the week-long activities as one of the AEV Club's experts in Thailand. Meanwhile, Mr. Calivoso joined Dr. Batin in preparation for his role as assistant coach to MMSU students competing in this year’s “It’s On You Game,” organized by AEV.

The AEV is a non-profit organization connecting agricultural and ecological specialists to promote sustainable agriculture and environmental solutions through collaborative research, education, and innovation.