By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

To further enhance students' competencies, Mariano Marcos State University has tied up with the Northwestern University in Laoag City and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office - Ilocos Norte for the BS Biology internship program this year.

This was made possible through a memorandum of agreement signed between MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, NWU President Ferdinand S. Nicolas, and PENRO Officer Victor C. Dabalos today, June 20, at the MMSU Office of the University President.

In the agreement, NWU and PENRO will allow the students of MMSU College of Arts and Sciences to have their online and face-to-face practicum, self-directed learning, enhancement/enrichment training, and field work in their agencies for 150 hours. The agreement will take effect on July 5, 2022 up to May 31, 2023. 

PSCA thanked the private university and the agency for the partnership, hoping that the learning opportunity will help the state university produce competent biologists in the future. For their part, heads of NWU and PENRO affirmed their commitment to make the partnership successful. 

Witnessing the MOA signing were MMSU Vice President for Research and Extension Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, VP for Planning and Development Ami Ruth R. Cocson, CAS Dean Marivic M. Alimbuyuguen, CAS - Department of Biological Sciences faculty, and other NWU and PENRO officials. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)