Manila, November 13, 2024–In a landmark event at De La Salle University (DLSU) on Taft Avenue, Manila, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between DLSU and the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), cementing their partnership to strengthen academic collaboration and spearhead a Policy Center dedicated to localizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ceremonial signing, held this Wednesday morning, formalized both the general memorandum of agreement (MOA) and the initiative to create a Policy Center in Iloilo, which will drive research and community engagement focused on sustainable development and fisheries science.
Dr. Robert Roleda, DLSU Provost, and Dr. Nordy Siason, Jr., ISUFST President, represented their respective institutions at the signing. Dr. Siason highlighted the collaboration’s transformative potential, noting, “This partnership marks a significant step forward in promoting knowledge-sharing and collaborative research in fisheries, agriculture, management, education, and technology, which will have a long-term impact on both institutions and the communities they serve.” He emphasized that the Policy Center would play a pivotal role in bringing research-driven, sustainable practices to communities outside Metro Manila.
The event was attended by key figures, including ISUFST’s Director of Research and Development, Dr. Jescel Bito-onon; Director of Gender and Development, Dr. Lenirose Mondero; and Legal Counsel, Atty. Joey Mondero, and DLSU’s Dr. Franciso Magno, Dr. Jason Hecita, and Prof. Eddie Nuque, underscoring the broad support for the initiative. Another first for ISUFST, the UN SDG Policy Center, grounded in mutual objectives of academic excellence and research innovation, will not only support SDG-aligned policy but will also facilitate future projects, joint research endeavors, and faculty-student exchanges, reinforcing both universities’ commitment to impactful, community-focused education and development.
By establishing this Policy Center, ISUFST and DLSU seek to localize the UN SDG 17’s principle of “Partnership for the Goals,” creating a model for sustainable and localized SDG initiatives across the country. This collaboration aligns with ISUFST’s vision of extending its academic reach and DLSU’s mission to foster transformative, socially relevant education, paving the way for enhanced contributions to the scientific and educational landscapes nationwide. (Photos by Nordy Siason, Jr. and Jescel Bito-onon/Text by Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)
