MOU forged between MMSU and University of Tokyo lab in Japan

By Stewart C. Ocampo


A laboratory of a top public university in Japan and the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) are bent to pursue academic exchanges starting this year. 


The Laboratory of International Agro-Informatics of the University of Tokyo - Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (UTokyo - GSALS) commits to collaborate with MMSU, as reflected in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two institutions today, March 27.


Dr. Masaru Mizoguchi, professor of international agro-informatics at UTokyo, and Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, MMSU vice president for research and extension, signed the agreement this morning at the University Center for Flexible Learning. Dr. Alibuyog represented MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis during the program. 


In the five-year MOU, the agro-informatics lab of UTokyo-GSALS and MMSU will conduct sustained joint academic and research programs in agro-informatics, smart (information and communication technology) agriculture, and soil science. They also agreed to exchange faculty and scholars, academic information and periodical academic publications; organize joint conferences or academic meetings; host faculty for graduate studies; and conduct other related exchange activities.


Aside from the MOU signing, Dr. Mizoguchi also conducted a lecture on field monitoring system for data science-based smart agriculture. In his talk, he presented the use of technology and strategies of collecting agri-data science, and the various sensors being used in agriculture industry.


The UTokyo professor also urged the participants to be more engaged in agro-informatics (the science of agricultural information) and smart agriculture technologies for them to become more efficient in addressing agricultural issues in their localities.


The lecture session was participated in by agricultural and biosystems engineering students and faculty members of the MMSU College of Engineering, and personnel from Philippine Rice Research Institute in Batac. Also present were Dr. Edmund Edison Esteban, COE dean; Dr. Virgilio Julius Manzano, Jr., COE professor and director of MMSU general services directorate; and Ms. Krismary Sharmaine Yapo, alumni relations chief. (HLY/DPTJ, StratCom)
 

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