by Niña Christelle M. Sumintac, StratCom Correspondent

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and Japan’s Ashikaga University (AU) have renewed their partnership through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today, July 22, 2023, at Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan. 

The two institutions will heighten their collaboration on academic, research, and community development programs. They agreed to jointly organize joint conferences and capacity-building initiatives, conduct research collaboration in various fields, exchange personnel and students for instruction, research, and community engagement programs, develop and offer transnational education and short-term courses, and implement Sustainable Development Goals-driven initiatives.

Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and Dr. Yoshitaka Suetake, presidents of MMSU and Ashikaga University respectively, signed the MOU.
The MMSU-AU partnership, which started in 2018, has generated various collaborative opportunities between the two institutions. Three AU professors conducted a joint international capacity-building training workshop that equipped university researchers on renewable energy technologies in line with solar, wind, and biomass energy tracks in 2018. 

In 2022, 11 MMSU engineering students joined an online exchange program through the Sakura Science Exchange Program, a training session on renewable energy funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency with AU as its delivery institution.
The latest joint endeavor is a 10-day Special English Language Program participated by 12 students from Ashikaga University from February 27 to March 10, 2023, under the MMSU Language Center.

The MOU signing at  Ashikaga University is part of the week-long business trip of MMSU officials in Japan, which also includes engagements in Shizuoka University, Seirei Christopher University, Gifu University, and the Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University for partnership meetings and signing of MOUs. The MMSU delegation is headed by Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, together with Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, director for internationalization, linkages, and partnerships; and Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, director for planning. 

Also part of the delegation are Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, the dean of the College of Teacher Education; Prof. Philistia Mercuria Bagayas, principal of the University Laboratory Schools; Dr. Romelyn Lagura from the Elementary Education Department and Dr. Rhian Jay Ramil from the Department of Pharmacy. (HLY, StratCom)