The Iloilo Provincial Government signed memoranda of agreement with various state universities and colleges (SUCs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) in the city and province to advance research, development, and innovation, and ultimately drive socio-economic growth in Iloilo.
The nine partner academic institutions include the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), University of San Agustin (USA), West Visayas State University (WVSU), Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), Northern Iloilo State University (NISU), Central Philippine University (CPU), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), University of Iloilo PHINMA, and Iloilo Doctor’s College.
Two agreements were signed – the general agreement with the nine universities and the project-specific MOA with the six universities.
These collaborations aim to leverage the expertise of the academe in various fields such as science and technology, agriculture and fisheries, and public health, among others for joint research projects and knowledge sharing to attain the social justice agenda of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. under his development thrust MoRProGRes ILOILO or Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient Province of Iloilo.
Present during the signing were representatives from partner institutions who signified their commitment to align their academic pursuits with the development goals of the province. Partner agencies that are members of the Provincial Research, Development and Innovations Committee (PRDIC) were also in attendance.
In his welcome message, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the provincial government needs colleges and universities’ intellectual and innovative expertise in finding practical solutions to pressing issues besetting the education sector, particularly on the gap in reading proficiency among elementary pupils.
“We hope that our partnership can take in the academe’s learnings and insights to fight these problems. We hope that the MOA that we sign will deepen our partnership to find solutions to the many social problems that we face today,” Banias said.
The activity was spearheaded by the Provincial Planning and Development Office, which is also in charge of formulating the Research, Development, and Innovations Agenda of the province of Iloilo.
Governor Defensor passed Executive Order No. 22 last January creating the Provincial Research, Development and Innovations Committee (PRDIC) and the Provincial Research, Development and Innovations Secretariat.
The PPDO will have an inventory of all the research wherein they will select and categorize each research based on the strategic goals of the province.
(Capitol News)
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