DR. SHIRLEY C. Agrupis, associate professor of the College of Arts and Sciences and former director of the University Manpower Development Program, has been designated chief of the University International Programs and coordinator of the Dou-No Catwalk Project of MMSU and Japan’s Kyoto University.

Agrupis has just returned from her seven-month stint at the Kyoto University International Innovation Center (KU-IIC) as visiting professor.

As chief of the University International Programs, a newly created office under the External Affairs and Partnerships Directorate headed by Dr. Carlos M. Pascual, she is tasked to develop a plan that shall enhance international linkages, partnership, and collaboration towards academic, research, social, and cultural excellence for MMSU’s global recognition.

As Philippine’s Dou-No Project coordinator, on the other hand, she is expected to liaise all activities pertaining to the project. It can be recalled that Dr. Agrupis brought to MMSU Dr. Makoto Kimura of KU-IIC in August last year to present his design of an all-weather rural access road using labor-based technology which he called “dou-no”.  The Japanese engineer is Japan International Cooperation Agency coordinator for poverty alleviation in Asia and Africa who expressed his interest to tie up with MMSU’s engineering faculty and students. Agrupis’ stint at the KU-IIC made it possible for the project to materialize in the Philippines with MMSU at the forefront.

Her experience at the Japan university has widened her exposure and has given her chance to establish linkages with institutions in Japan for academic, research, and technology promotion partnerships with MMSU.