By JOHN VINCENT B. TORIBIO

A reputable Canadian University has started exploring possible areas of collaboration with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in areas that pertain academic, research and international development initiatives. 

Dr. David Gray, dean of Dalhousie University (DU) Faculty of Agriculture, has initiated meetings with MMSU officials led by President Shirley C. Agrupis on Thursday (August 13) and discussed mutual agreement to work for the implementation of relevant and all-inclusive ventures, particularly on the fields of aquaculture, animal science and clean energy. 

During the meeting, MMSU and DU have signified interest on exploring more areas for collaboration in the fields of agriculture (veterinary science and veterinary technology), business (entrepreneurship business management, supply and value chain management), computer science and information technology (knowledge management), biological and social sciences (microbiology and biotechnology, genomics and gender and women’s studies), health and wellness (physical education and physical therapy, kinesiology, health sciences, recreation management and respiratory therapy), and aquatic sciences and marine biology (aqua-toruism and marine biology).

DU is a 200-year-old premier Canadian university, founded in 1818, that specializes on the fields of fisheries, oceanography, agriculture and social sciences. 

“Generally, DU and MMSU aim to establish a sustainable partnership that enhances and support the development of the institution and capacitation of personnel towards responsive and inclusive growth,” said Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, MMSU’s chief for international programs, who serves as the lead coordinator for this project. Aside from DU, Aquino is also looking for some international partnerships among other schools in Canada. 

Particularly, the MMSDU and DU shall endeavor to partner in exchange programs and internships for students, faculty, and staff; introduction of new curricula; joint research and development projects; joint research and knowledge publication; exchange of knowledge products including publications, instructional and training materials; and development of joint academic course(s) or degree program(s).

“This partnership is a fruit of the aggressive internationalization efforts of the MMSU’s Office for External Linkages and Partnerships headed by Dr. Mee Jay A. Domingo,” Aquino said, adding that this collaboration is another product of the Philippine-Canada Universities Education Consortium for International Collaborative Partnerships (PhilCanEDUCON – Magic 7+). 

This involves Universities in the two countries in fostering academic and scholarly collaboration. Here, universities in Canada partner with seven Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) namely, the MMSU, Benguet State University (BSU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Mountain Province Polytechnic State College (MPPSC) and the University of Southeastern Philippines (USP). (StratCom)