By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr., STRATCOM Correspondent

Dr. Arlene Gonzales, associate professor at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), is currently serving as a visiting faculty member at the prestigious Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand. Her engagement runs from January 27 to February 28, 2025, as part of an ongoing academic collaboration between MMSU and AIT.

During her tenure, Dr. Gonzales is teaching a course on nature-based solutions, collaborating with AIT faculty on an external project proposal, and participating in an open seminar to promote knowledge and skills exchange. Her work at AIT strengthens the university’s global engagement in climate change and sustainability studies.

An accomplished AIT alumna, Dr. Gonzales completed her doctorate in climate change and sustainable development in May 2024. She currently leads MMSU’s internationalization program and chairs the CAFSD Department of Environmental Science.

Her appointment was made through a formal request from AIT’s Natural Resources Management Chairperson, Dr. Takuji Tsusaka, in a letter addressed to former MMSU OIC President Prima Fe R. Franco. This invitation demonstrates the strong institutional ties between MMSU and AIT, established through a memorandum of understanding in 2021.

“I look forward to a productive and meaningful experience—sharing my expertise in climate change and sustainability, strengthening MMSU-AIT collaboration, and paving the way for future academic exchanges, including opportunities for AIT experts to visit MMSU,” Dr. Gonzales said.

Founded in 1959, AIT is an internationally recognized postgraduate institution specializing in engineering, sustainability, and management. It ranks among the top 200 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024 for its contributions to global sustainability challenges.

Dr. Gonzales’ engagement at AIT exemplifies MMSU’s commitment to academic excellence and international collaboration, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in climate change and sustainability education.