By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

The Indigenous Food Research Consortium (IFRC) based in Mariano Marcos State University and the Kasetsart University (KU) in Thailand are bent to pursue academic and research initiatives on probiotics and functional foods starting this year. 

This commitment was formalized through a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding today, August 8, between KU President Chongrak Wachrinrat, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, Don Mariano Marcos State University (DMMMSU) President Jaime Manuel, and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) OIC President Danilo Bose. 

In the MOU, the Thailand university and IFRC agreed to conduct research collaboration and cooperative capacity building initiatives. They also committed to exchange visiting researchers for short-term research engagements, and to share academic and research materials and publications. The partnership will run for three years. 

“Thank you for welcoming us into your consortium,” said Dr. Wachrinrat, who assured support in strengthening food product development. He added that they anticipate fruitful endeavors.

Dr. Agrupis, also the IFRC program leader, remarked the partnership “is a manifestation of our collective efforts to help address food security, not only in the Philippines, but also in Southeast Asia.” She also expressed high hopes that the tie up will also create collaborative degree programs to sustain manpower for and initiatives on food products development. 

For their part, Dr. Bose and Dr. Manuel affirmed their commitment in advancing friendly relations between Thailand and Philippines.

Known internationally for academic excellence and work of world standard, KU is the first academic institution in Thailand to offer degree programs in agricultural sciences.

Previously, the MMSU-led consortium forged ties with the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and the Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan this year. 

Funded by the Commission on Higher Education, the IFRC was established in January this year. The consortium seeks to maximize the development of probiotics from indigenous food plants through academic-industry collaboration. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)