By Janelle Faulve
The academic visit to the top universities in Taiwan on January 7-12 of the nine URS delegates established international collaborations. Three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the University of Rizal System (URS) with President Dr. Nancy Pascual represented by Dr. Marites Rio, Vice President for Research Development, Extension, and Production (RDEP), and the National Changhua University of Education (NCUE) represented by Dr. Ming-Fei Chen, President, and Dr. Hom-Man Lee, Dean of Office of International and Cross-strait Affairs; National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (NYUST or YunTech) represented by President Prof. Dr. Yang, Neng-Shu; and Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) represented by Dr. Hsueh-Wei Chang, Dean of the College of Life Sciences.
These MOUs aim to promote international research and extension collaboration and academic exchange. This stride also serves as another venue for international partnerships between URS and institutions abroad, paving the way for joint research projects, faculty collaboration, and student mobility programs.
The URS delegation was composed of Dr. Marites Rio, Vice President for Research Development, Extension, and Production (RDEP); Prof. Jonas Ynares, Director for International Development and Special Programs (IDSP); Dr. Niclie Tiratira, Director for Research Development; Dr. Fe Esperanza Mateo, Director for Extension; Dr. Leo Rio, Director for Production Services and Head of Intellectual Property Office (IPO); Dr. Jocelyn Gagalang, Director, Office of Public Affairs; Prof. Ruff John Florendo Jr., Dean, College of Agribusiness Management; and Engr. Allan Anorico, Former Dean, College of Engineering.
The signing of MOUs between URS and NCUE, and URS and YunTech took place on January 8, and the signing between URS and KMU happened on January 9. The delegates were also accommodated at Shih Chien University, Kaohsiung Campus, to discuss potential collaborations. Likewise, the 4-day visit was coupled with activities that yielded learning and inspiration and deepened understanding of the essence of community research and extension services—campus tours, sharing of practices, and community visits to the farms and tribes in Namasia District that Dr. Yong Chao-Su of KMU facilitated.
These active engagements in international collaborations significantly enhance the University of Rizal System’s global standing and provide students diverse learning opportunities. The said MOUs serve as the bedrock for establishing these partnerships, allowing all parties to connect worldwide and cultivate a rich academic environment.
