A professor of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) was appointed as guest scholar of the Gifu University in Gifu, Japan.

Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, also the MMSU’s science and technology park director and international programs chief, will serve as GU’s visiting professor until March 31, 2021. 

As guest scholar, he will conduct academic initiatives at the host university in areas like agriculture and sustainable community development, indigenous knowledge system and cultural management, and natural resource management. 

His appointment was confirmed by Prof. Ken Hiramatsu, dean of the GU’s United Graduate School of Agricultural Science. 

The Japanese official hopes that Dr. Aquino’s appointment can further contribute to closer cooperation and exchange of valuable resources between MMSU and GU. 

In 2018, the two universities signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing them to collaborate in academic and research activities, internationally-funded projects, course development and delivery, training programs, and organization of technical programs, among others. 

MMSU and GU have also agreed to work together on student and faculty exchanges, letting their faculty, personnel and students pursue graduate and undergraduate studies in both schools. 

Moreover, MMSU has become a member of the International Consortium of Universities in South and Southeast Asia for the Doctoral Education in Agricultural Science and Biotechnology (IC-GU12), being led by GU.

It has also partnered with other Japan universities such as Ashikaga University, Shizuoka University, and Kyoto University. – by Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. (StratCom)