By Czarina Berlynn Donne Agustin

To explore areas for meaningful collaboration, officials and representatives of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the Mariano Marcos State University on June 2.

Third Secretary of the Economic Section of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Ms. Yamada Yumi, together with JICA team composed of the Chief Representative, Hon. Sakamoto Takema; Senior Representative, Mr. Hirosawa Jin; Project Formulation Advisor, Mr. Kikuchi Kosuke; and Program Officer, Ms. Katrin Salandanan, met with MMSU officials this afternoon to agree on possible joint projects.

In the convergence meeting at the University Training Center, various projects were proposed by MMSU to JICA. This includes the establishment of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Park to be the central hub of all the projects, as well as Ilocos Norte – JICA – MMSU Agri-processing Center which aims to promote agricultural product processing and commercialization. MMSU also eyes to upgrade its water technologies with a possible JICA-assisted Cascading Community Rainwater Catchment.

Moreover, cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Japan may be strengthened through the proposed creation of a Japanese Convergence Center at the university’s Center for Flexible Learning and a Japanese Corner at the University Library, in addition to an MMSU-JAPAN Friendship Garden at the MMSU Biodiversity Park.

Takema showed positive response to the proposed projects, saying these can be pushed to be part of JICA’s long-time show of assistance for the province and the Filipino people.

“These projects have promising concepts and I believe we can accord favorable action since most of them are in agriculture, business promotion and research and development which JICA has been pursuing,” Takema emphasized.

“We can also provide Culture Grant Assistance, from private companies and Japan foundations,” Yumi added.

MMSU President Shirley Agrupis responded the visit is part of the active efforts of the university to strengthen its linkages with Japanese institutions.

“JICA’s visit to MMSU is the birth of a great partnership toward human security and quality growth in this part of the country, thus, we hope to maximize this opportunity as it will not only benefit our university, but our fellow Ilokanos as well,” Dr. Agrupis said.

The JICA experts were welcomed by President Agrupis, together with, Research and Extension Vice President Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, Administration, Finance, and Business Vice President Oscar M. Agpaoa, and Planning and Finance Vice President Engr. Ami Ruth R. Cocson.

Established in 1974, JICA uphold human security and quality growth by promoting international cooperation, development of the global economy, and supporting the socioeconomic development of developing regions. It became an independent administrative institution in Japan in 2003.

With a long-standing relationship, Japan and the Philippines have worked closely to further strengthen their strategic partnership which have significantly contributed in the development of both countries. MMSU has been collaborating with Japanese partners in the academe and in industries for around two decades. (JVBT/HLY,StratCom)