By Edmar Delos Santos

Seven MMSU scholars from the biology and agriculture programs received educational and garlic research support from Takarada, Inc. in Japan at the university’s Garlic Research Center for the second semester of the academic year 2024-2025.

Six scholars received a P17,000 stipend—P12,000 in educational assistance plus P5,000 for those enrolled in thesis courses—while one scholar, not eligible for the research grant, received P12,000. 

The scholars are composed of four from the Bachelor of Science in Biology program, including fourth-year students currently writing their thesis Krizia Mae Andrea Barandoc, Ronel Ganotisi, and Rodge Carl Vea, and second-year student Allysa Gabrielle Quigao.

Meanwhile, Althea Victoria Cainglit, Dexter Lloyd Calderon, and Franz Justine Dancel are the graduating Bachelor of Science in Agriculture thesis grantees. 

Former MMSU President now the Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis and Research Directorate Director Dionisio Bucao led the distribution stipends on behalf of Mr. Kimio Takarada, President of Takara Inc.

They were accompanied by Office for Student Affairs and Services Director Emil James Tanagon, Scholarships and Financial Assistance Chief Jahnese Asuncion, College of Agriculture Food and Sustainable Development OIC-Dean Dr. Charlie B. Batin, and College of Arts and Sciences Secretary Michelle Reynera.

As scholarship recipients, they must work on significant areas of research on garlic and pledge to finish their studies on time. 

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. expressed his gratitude for the continuous support from the Japanese company.“We hope this collaboration will also benefit more students in the future, especially those with research interests in black and Ilokano garlic,” he added.

The partnership between MMSU and the Takarada. Inc. began during the academic year 2023-2024. The primary target of the collaboration is to boost garlic research and innovation in the country.