NEUST WELCOMES 2024 WITH NEW PARTNERSHIPS

By: Dr. Rasha Amira S. Khalil
Gabaldon Campus

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, through the Extension Services Department, formally sealed Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with eight new agencies as new partners for extension services and programs of the university on January 23, 2024.

Present during the MoA signing were the Center Director of Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) Regional Training Center III, Dr. Joey A. Belarmino; Laur OFC Food Products Manufacturing Representative, Mrs. Elisa Untal; President and CEO of One Farm Sto. Domingo Corporation, Mr. Richard I. Santos; Honorable Mayor of LGU Pantabangan, Roberto T. Agdipa; and Honorable Mayor of LGU Ma. Aurora, Aurora, Ariel S. Bitong. New partners also included the Organization for Industrial and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) Japan, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE), and Central Luzon State University (CLSU).

The Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training, Dr. Rachael R. Moralde, delivered her warm welcome remarks and expressed her excitement about the new partnerships between the universities and these agencies.

During the ceremony, President Feliciana P. Jacoba expressed her appreciation and commended the active involvement of the faculty who made the new partnerships possible. She also emphasized extension as one of the four-fold functions of the university and with the existing and new MoAs, it is evident that the university's commitment has been shown and will continue to be pursued.

Mr. Belarmino from ATI-Regional Training Center III reaffirmed their commitment with NEUST to implement development programs through extension activities, particularly for the marginalized sectors of the community. Meanwhile, Mrs. Untal from Laur OFC Food Products Manufacturing expressed her gratitude by recognizing and giving importance to their small yet growing organization. Mr. Santos of One Farm Sto. Domingo Corporation mentioned that this partnership would bring fruitful outcomes to the community. Mayor Agdipa and Mayor Bitong strongly supported the partnerships for the development of their respective local government units.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rhodora R. Jugo, graced the ceremony as she also emphasized that this is not just about signing these papers but giving priority to more sustainable programs with these partnerships for the development in the province of Nueva Ecija.

This endeavor is spearheaded by the Extension Services Department, led by Dr. Marivic N. Villegas, which aims to support and strengthen the commitment of the university to implement long-term extension projects addressing the need for social and community development.