By Adrianne Lorenzo Corpuz, StratCom Correspondent

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), together with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and 19 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 24 at the MMSU Center for Flexible Learning. 

Led by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., the Philippine Canada Network for Sustainability - Ilocandia (PCNS - Ilocandia) was formed with 19 other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to construct activities for Philippine and Canadian HEIs.

The PCNS - Ilocandia comprises of Binalatongan Community College, Divine Word College of Laoag and Vigan, Don Mariano Marcos State University, Ilocos Sur Community College, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Northwestern University, Pangasinan State University, Panpacific University Inc., Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union, Inc., Urdaneta City University, Union Christian College, Universidad De Dagupan, University of Eastern Pangasinan, University of Luzon Inc., University of Northern Philippines, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, University of the Philippines Los Banos, and Mariano Marcos State University.

MMSU, UPLB, and the said HEIs will collaborate to strengthen the relationships with Canadian Institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan, Dalhousie University, University of Prince Edward Island, Vancouver Island University, Mount Royal University, University of Victoria, University of Manitoba, University of British Columbia, and York University. This also recognizes the importance of higher education and professional training in national development, strengthens cooperation and mutual assistance, focuses on economic and environmental sustainability, and pioneers micro-credential initiatives such as research, extension and development activities, curriculum and academic development, and faculty and student exchange.

As a consortium coordinator and secretariat, Dr. Agrupis expressed her gratitude and support towards UPLB and the rest of the HEIs for this partnership. She said this opportunity should not be taken for granted as it is a “concerted effort for capacity building which helps create a great future.”

A series of workshops and presentations followed the MoU signing. Before establishing the PCNS - Ilocandia, MMSU partnered with the Philippine-Canada Universities Education Consortium for International Collaborative Partnerships (PhilCanEDUCON) Magic 7+ in 2022. (MKA_StratCom)