Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU renews partnership with PNVSCA on volunteer-led climate research

By Benedict Jay Collado

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) renewed its institutional partnership with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on volunteer-led climate research on July 21, during the agency’s regional advocacy visit to the Ilocos Region. 

The visit, which runs from July 18-24, serves as part of PNVSCA’s ongoing nationwide push to integrate volunteer service into higher education and local development. The agreement extends the collaboration with MMSU for another three years, following the initial partnership, which aimed to bring climate research to the community. 

As part of this, PNVSCA officials met with MMSU to document field feedback and review the ongoing milestones under the Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV), hosted by MMSU’s  Regional Research Training Center for Climate Change Studies (RRTCCS) and Sustainability and Future Thinking (SFT). 

Volunteer expert Katelynn Samuelsen, deployed from July 2026 until August of next year, helped the RRTCCS and SFT by providing lectures, modules, and other related materials regarding climate change and sustainability. The USPC volunteer also initiated community services with site visitations and lectures in different municipalities within the region. 

Meanwhile, representatives from both institutions emphasized the roles of cross-border knowledge exchange during the collaborative discussion. 

Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation Nathaniel Alibuyog stressed that the volunteer helped in the operations of the offices. "MMSU is deeply honored to host our first-ever international volunteer. Her valuable contributions have significantly boosted the operational capabilities and outreach of our climate research units." 

Executive Director Donald James Gawe of PNVSCA highlighted the importance of volunteerism, describing it as a powerful drive for community transformation, while expressing gratitude for MMSU’s partnership and a hope that the university would continue to serve as a home for future volunteer experts.