By Nympha G. Borromeo, StratCom Intern

Building on their fruitful partnerships through the years, the Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus (PSHS-IRC) and the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) have again forged ties for the Science Immersion Program (SIP).

The partnership was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PSHS-IRC Director Ronalee N. Orteza and MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis on Friday, May 26, at the Office of the University President. 

SIP is a required course where Pisay students can learn science, engineering, and research laboratory skills and concepts in a host institution. 

In the three-year agreement, the PSHS-IRC will select and send their SIP participants to MMSU where they will be exposed to actual scientific research projects in the university for 2-3 weeks (with a minimum of 80 hours).

Dr. Orteza thanked MMSU for being a staunch partner for the program, and hopes that Pisay student-scholars are better equipped with scientific skills with their internship in the university. 

For her part, Dr. Agrupis expressed assurance that MMSU will always support the Pisay in producing high-caliber S&T high school graduates in the Ilocos region.  

Dr. Bjorn Santos, MMSU research director, and Ms. Ma. Winde Carl Leonen, special science teacher of PSHS-IRC, also joined the MOU signing. 

In 2022, the two schools signed an agreement for the same program which lasted for one year. 

Pisay is a research-oriented and specialized public high school system which operates as an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology. (HLY/JVBT/DPT, StratCom)