By Crisdeniele H. Clemente 

The Dalhousie University (Dal) and the Mariano Marcos State University have started to explore collaborative agricultural and aquaculture activities. 

Today, October 9, Mr. David Parks, Dal’s international project and advancement coordinator, and Ms. Lana Bos, acting manager of Dal Faculty of Agriculture, met MMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Prima Fe Franco to discuss the possibility of exchange programs between the two universities’ agriculture and fisheries faculty and students. Research opportunities were also tackled, including organic aquaculture and coastal communities as potential research areas.

They were joined by Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, director for internationalization, linkages, and partnerships; Dr. Marlowe Aquino, director for planning, Dr. Charlie Batin, OIC-Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development; Dr. Sean Vidad, chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences (DAS); Prof. Jerome Binarao, OIC-chair of the Department of Fisheries in the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology; and Prof. Reymond Julius Rosales, DAS faculty member.

After the meeting, the MMSU officials facilitated a campus tour, showcasing the agriculture and aquatic science facilities at the MMSU CASAT and CAFSD Dingras campus. The visitors also toured around Ilocos Norte particularly the coastal and fishing areas in the province. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)