Four reputable universities in Japan have agreed to modernize the renewable energy facilities of MMSU and enhance its research and academic initiatives by giving trainings to students and faculty members in the engineering and nursing programs.

The assurance was made by officials of the Ashikaga Institute of Technology (AIT), Gifu University (GU), Shizouka University (SU), and Kyoto University (KU) to MMSU officials, led by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, who went to a working visit in Japan on March 6-11.

Other members of the delegation were Engr. Ami Ruth R. Cocson, Vice President for Planning and Finance; Dr. Julius Manzano Jr., Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Nathaniel R.  Alibuyog, Dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Marilou P. Lucas, Director for Research; and Dr. Carlos M. Pascual, Chief for the university’s International Program.

Dr. Pascual said this development partnership between MMSU and the four Japan universities “will surely enhance both MMSU’s research and academic initiatives, expecting to produce highly competitive graduates of these two courses in the near future.” He explained that the working visit was one of the initiatives of the present MMSU leadership in leveling up the university’s institutional status, expanding its external partnerships and linkages, and improving its resource generation.

As stipulated in an agreement signed between Dr. Agrupis and Dr. Izumi Ushiyama of AIT, the Japanese professor agreed to demonstrate modern renewable energy systems in the MMSU campus and train engineering and nursing students that may lead them become more competitive after graduation.

On the other hand, the GU has promised to provide scholarships and trainings to qualified faculty members, and allow them to use GU’s laboratory facilities for research purposes, while the SU promised to send its professors to MMSU to conduct lectures and, at the same time, train its faculty and students through fellowship grants.

During a courtesy call to Professor Makoto Kimura of Geomechanics Labortory (GL) in KU last March 9, Kimura promised to continue its financial support to MMSU and the conduct of laboratory trainings and summer school programs to its faculty and students. He, too, promised to continue implementing the Do-nou technology in the MMSU campus, a project he started here in 2009.

Do-nou is a Japanese term which means soil wrapped in a gunny bag. It is a soil reinforcement technology using geotextile materials, such as gunny bags, which are used to build dam embankments, road maintenance works, and bridge, among others.

In 2009, Prof. Kimura built Do-nou projects at the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) in Currimao town for the College’s inland fishery projects. The Do-nou was duplicated in 2015 when two similar Do-nou path walk projects were launched at the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) and at the Mini-Island in the university’s Biodiversity Conservation Learning Center and Leisure Park.

Dr. Kimura’s Do-nou project is now implemented in 22 countries. This infrastructure he initiated now collectively spans 140 kilometers around the world. Dr. Kimura is eyeing to help more rural communities in the Philippine with the Do-nou project, saying that such is not a charity work but an initiative that will generate revenues for the people, such as the one he helped established in Nueva Vizcaya.

For his part, Prof. Shiro Saka of the Laboratory of Energy Ecosystems in KU also signed an MOU with MMSU and agreed to train the university faculty and students in the fields of bio-energy.