By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

Sustaining their fruitful partnership, Mariano Marcos State University and the Shizuoka University (SU) in Japan have renewed their international exchange program. 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and SU President Kazuyuki Hizume signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, July 18, formalizing the extension of their tie-up for another five years, which will start on November 26.

The exchange program caters to graduate and undergraduate students in areas of education, engineering, and scientific research. Under the agreement, both universities will offer academic programs suited to the academic ability of exchange students. 

To further strengthen partnership between the two institutions, key officials of MMSU and SU held a meeting to discuss other potential areas of collaboration, such as conduct of personnel and student exchange programs, research activities, and international conferences, among others. 

A prior five-year MOU was entered into by MMSU and SU in November 2018 which allowed them to accommodate students to pursue advanced education and training to further expand their expertise in areas related to academics and scientific research. 

In 2019, MMSU sent its faculty members to the Japan university for the exchange program: Prof. Emie S. Mirasol, who underwent a short-term research training; Prof. James Paul T. Madrigal, who participated in a technical training on the development of biorefinery technology; and Dr. Mee Jay Domingo and Engr. Julius Jimenez, who attended the 6th Conference Inter-Academia Asia. In the same year, Prof. Yashuto Shirai of SU conducted training on renewable energy for MMSU researchers. 

President Agrupis, who is a former graduate student of SU, explained that the MOU aims “to build a person-to-person relationship between the faculty and students of the two universities so that we can nurture in them a full bloom and long-lasting partnership.” 

Situated in Hamamatsu City Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan, SU is well known for education in engineering, innovation, and technology, with the prestigious international exchange of laboratories in these fields.

The renewal of partnership with SU is part of the week-long business trip of MMSU officials in Japan. They are also scheduled to visit Seirei Christopher University, Gifu University, Ashikaga University, and the Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University for partnership meetings and signing of MOUs. 

Joining President Agrupis in the Japan mission trip are Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, director for internationalization, linkages and partnerships; Dr. Marlowe Aquino, director for planning; Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, dean of the College of Teacher Education; Dr. Romelyn Lagura, faculty member of the elementary education department; Prof. Philistia Mercuria Bagayas, principal of the University Laboratory Schools; Prof. Rhian Jaymar Ramil, faculty member of the pharmacy department; and Atty. Cheska Arla Agrupis, executive assistant to the MMSU president. (StratCom)