Mariano Marcos
State University

Agro Eco Veda delegates tour MMSU, Ilocos Norte environmental infrastructure, conservation sites

By Criztalene Victorio

As part of their five-day International Academic and Cultural Visit from August 11 to 15, delegates from Agro Eco Veda Club visited the research centers and laboratories of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), as well as some of Ilocos Norte’s environmental infrastructure and conservation sites.

The ongoing visit aims to further expand the partnership between MMSU and Agro Eco Veda to establish joint research and community service initiatives focused on ecological preservation.
 

Led by Chief Operating Officer Nataliya Shegolkova, the group paid a courtesy visit to MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., on August 11 to discuss knowledge sharing for potential ecological initiatives addressing critical environmental concerns, such as water-related challenges and soil degradation.

Following this, the team held lectures for students of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) at the Center for Flexible Learning on August 12. The event aimed to broaden CAFSD students’ knowledge of agricultural and environmental sustainability.

Agro Eco Veda Chief Shegolkova led the lecture titled "Biochemical Fluxes in the Modern World.” It was followed by "The Importance of Afforestation in Global Trends" by Mr. Konstantin Romanenko, and "Reforestation Processes" by Ms. Stefania Karimova.

In a message delivered on behalf of MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight Mee Jay Domingo emphasized the importance of the collaboration in nurturing students to create initiatives that address ecological pressures.
 

“This cross-cultural exchange provides a platform for both institutions and participants to integrate academic expertise. Through this exchange of knowledge, we hope the participants co-develop projects that address critical agricultural and environmental challenges affecting local ecosystems,” Dr. Domingo said.

The five-day engagement follows a contract renewal that took place in January this year. Under the agreement, the two institutions agreed to develop and implement joint projects in the fields of agriculture and ecology.

Additionally, the delegates will also visit the wastewater treatment facility of Coca-Cola Company tomorrow, August 14, with a short meeting with the concerned division in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. They will also visit renewable energy projects located in Ilocos Norte, such as the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Burgos Lighthouse, to name a few.

The delegate will then convene for a planning meeting to discuss future activities, followed by a closing program to officially end their visit. 

Agro Eco Veda is a Bali-based international non-profit organization and environmental enterprise that promotes sustainable farming and applied environmental solutions.