By Ali G. Macabalang

Online-generated photos of the signing of agreements by the MSU-GSC leadership with the BFAR-12 and the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in physical and virtual ceremonies on Aug. 6.

GEN. SANTOS CITY – The Mindanao State University satellite campus here has formally linked up with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and a Malaysian university in separate rites that boosted its campaign for expanded collaboration with local and foreign institutions.

Dr. Anshari P. Ali, chancellor of the campus known as MSU-GSC, inked agreements with BFAR Region 12 Director Elfeo Piloton and Dr. Ahmad Fauzi, vice chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in physical and virtual ceremonies, respectively, on Aug. 6, according to Philippine Muslim Today news sources.    

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MSU-GSC and UTM will enhance "research collaboration and promotion of academics in the areas of social sciences and other disciplines offered at the two institutions," the MOU signatories said.

"(It) will promote the following areas of cooperation: student exchanges; exchange of information and publication; joint research activities and teaching programs; joint seminars and conferences; and other related fields as mutually agreed in the future," the signatory officials said.

On the other hand, the MSU-GSC's memorandum of agreement (MoA) with BFAR-12 prescribed the rehabilitation of the host school's hatchery of the Laboratory and Research Station of the College of Fisheries at Suguil, Bawing here with corresponding award of P1.3 Million for the purpose, Dr. Ali said.

The project will "greatly contribute towards developing a SMART laboratory to improve ongoing fisheries research of the university," said the signing ceremony.

MSU-GSC Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Usman D. Aragasi, in his welcome address, emphasized the essence of support from the BFAR, through its regional 12 office, in terms of "fortifying the university's fisheries research and encouraging students to take courses in fisheries."

The MSU-GSC's hatchery laboratory and research station has for years been producing various marine products like prawns that are being supplied to local markets, with the sale proceeds supplementing the university's maintenance and operational expenditures, audit units officials said.     

For his part, BFAR-XII Director Piloton acknowledged the need for the rehabilitation of the fisheries station facilities of the university campus, and assured a continuance of long-standing support by his predecessors in the bureau.

"This is not the last support we will give you," he stated. "BFAR cannot stand alone, that's why we need the help and support of MSU," Piloton was quoted as saying.

"He also accentuated the need to upscale research and development capabilities that will help improve the quality of life of the members of society," a campus website post said.

Campus intensified collaborative linkages in both local and international circles have leaped upon the investiture of Dr. Ali as campus chancellor on April 28, 2019, with his creation of the Office of International Affairs (OIA), old-timer MSU-GSC workers said.

The OIA, now led by Dr. Anderson Avila, has globalized the MSU-GSC campus operations and built linkages with counterpart universities in the Asian, Western and European regions, they said. (AGM)

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