Partido State University commemorated its 23rd Charter Anniversary last March 4-8, 2024, with a series of events and activities that highlighted the institution’s remarkable journey of academic excellence, innovative research, and community engagement. Students, faculty, staff, guests, and stakeholders were brought together to honor PSU’s achievements and contributions over the years. 

Since its establishment in 2001, PSU has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing quality education and fostering holistic development among its students. The university has continuously expanded and reinvigorated its academic programs and services to cater to the evolving needs of the local and global job markets. 

The festivities commenced with the Opening and Flag Ceremony at the PSU main entrance followed by a Parade around the Poblacion of Goa. The parade was enhanced by vibrant floats promoting the flagship programs of the colleges and enthusiastic yells, creating a captivating and thrilling experience for spectators.  After the parade, the Eucharistic Mass also followed. Several small business enterprises also added to the celebration as they provided delicious treats and refreshments for the spectators during the celebration. Various colleges conducted simultaneous activities that showcased the creative talents and ingenuity of the students and faculty. Parallel activities include Lecture Seminars, Film shows, Cosplay, Art Exhibit, Literary and Dance Contests, Poster Presentations and Cultural Shows. These activities amplified the excitement and created a sense of unity among participants and spectators alike. It also fostered a sense of pride and connection within the ParSU Community. These activities comprised Days 1-2 of the Charter Anniversary. 

Day 3 of the anniversary celebration brought another notable moment as outstanding faculty members were recognized during the PARSU PARANGAL, and students were honored at the Students Recognition Rights for their significant contributions in various fields. The ceremony included presentation of awards to those who excelled in academics, teaching, research, community service, and leadership roles. Furthermore, stakeholders who continuously supported PSU’s research and extension programs and activities were acknowledged during the 2nd PAGHONRA event. This recognition served as a testament to PSU’s dedication to nurturing talent and providing a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. Days 4 and 5 were composed of Friendship games and Tree-planting activities. 

As Partido State University looks ahead to its future, it remains dedicated to its vision of becoming a leading education institution known for its excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. The 23rd Anniversary celebrations served as a reminder of the university’s achievements and the collective efforts of its stakeholders in fulfilling its vision. 

With its continued commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and community service, Partido State University is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of its students, the communities it serves, and the society at large. As it celebrates this significant milestone, PSU looks forward to many more years of success and continued growth. 

The Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series brings eminent, successful, and reputable scientists and intellectuals, educators, businessmen, economists, political figures, artists, policymakers, and other professionals to Partido State University (ParSU) to give a lecture, inform and share significant ideas that will provide the ParSU community with different perspectives and topics of thought. The lectures aimed to inform the ParSU community about the recent development in a particular field and provide a venue for the presentation of findings from a particular field highlighting crucial solutions, debates, and dilemmas in contemporary issue.

The inaugural lecture for the Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series features Dr. Rafe M. Brown, a renowned scientist and Professor from Kansas University, Biodiversity Institute and History of Natural Museum. Dr. Brown is a pivotal figure in several critical areas of study, including evolutionary biology, biogeography, phylogenetic systematics, and conservation genetics of terrestrial vertebrates in island archipelagos of Southeast Asia. His collective understanding of the Southeast Asia’s ecological dynamics and ecological challenges positions him in the forefront of biodiversity conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the region.

The Partido State University (ParSU) and the Sorsogon State University (SorSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), represented by Dr. Raul G. Bradecina and Dr. Geraldine de Jesus, respectively. The MOU is focused on collaboration and the development of joint research investigations. The universities will exchange researchers, share expertise on climate resilience, marine biology, marine science, and fisheries, and disseminate collaboration-generated technologies. Additionally, they will collaborate on publications relating to their research.

The MOU is an instrumental agreement that will make our institutions' visions a reality and help us achieve our missions. Through research, extension, and collaboration, we will uplift the socio-economic status and promote sustainable development in the Bicol region.

We are confident that our joint studies will bring about a significant impact, especially in marine-centered studies, where the Bicol region has proven research potential. Our MOU marks a pivotal step towards conducting joint studies ranging from biodiversity assessment, species identification and characterization, distribution model and mapping, socio-cultural studies, and biogeography mapping.

This success was made possible by Dr. Michael A. Clores, our Project Leader, and the research associates Eljenmer Sindo, Elluna Bigcas of the ParSU and Dr. Richard Dumilag- a research collaborator from the SorSU. All of them are involved in the CHED LAKAS-funded project titled "Phytochemical Characterization of Macroalgae for Food and High-Value Products."

The Program for Early Modern Southeast Asia (PEMSEA) at the University of California, Los Angeles focused on building partnerships and collaborations in Taiwan and Southeast Asia to advance its mission. This effort included hosting speaker series, workshops, and student training programs, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary research and community engagement. The Partido State University is one of the collaborators of the said program; since 2016, ParSU and UCLA have worked together, and have co-hosted international webinars and workshops.

In 2022, PEMSEA co-hosted an 8-panel webinar series with Partido State University (ParSU) titled "Historicizing Disaster Risk Management: The Ecology of Mt. Isarog and its Environs," bringing together scholars from around the world to discuss environmental and climatic transformations in Southeast Asia. Additionally, PEMSEA partnered with UCLA Asia Pacific Center and other institutions on a speaker series focused on Early Modern Period connections between Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

The program also organized a field school in 2022 in Goa that included two students from ParSU-CAS, BS Biology and BS Geology Programs & Museo de Isarog Student Volunteers, Dan Mathew Alerta and Noel Jay Roxas, the field school provided hands-on training in archaeological field research and community outreach for undergraduate and graduate students. This was then followed up by a face-to-face workshop held at the ParSU Caramoan Campus last July 21-26, 2022, the speakers explored methodological and theoretical issues related to research on Early Modern Southeast Asia (EMPSEA) and Taiwan, including the use of historical records, applications of anthropological concepts, historical, ecology, political economy in studying environmental changes, and collaborations with Indigenous and local populations.  President Raul G. Bradecina,PhD attended the said workshop along with several faculty members of ParSU from different colleges and campuses.

Moreover, last March 2023 through the UCLA-ParSU collaboration, faculty members of ParSU presented papers and attended the workshop on “Indigenous Landscapes and Resource Management in Taiwan and Southeast Asia” at National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. During the workshop, NCCU CTPILS and ParSU officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement to further strengthen its collaboration. 

Throughout its first year, PEMSEA aimed to strengthen scholarly infrastructure, support research collaboration, increase diversity in the field, and foster dynamic academic exchanges while decolonizing research practice. These initiatives have expanded the reach of PEMSEA's virtual programming globally and increased opportunities for student learning and future collaborations in Early Modern Period Southeast Asian Studies.

Read more about the programs and projects of PEMSEA through their website: https://earlymodernseasia.org/

Read about the recently published articles highlighting its active community engagement, partnerships and collaborations and their plans to further expand its outreach and impact by providing increased access to resources and opportunities for students and scholars in Southeast Asia through these links:

PEMSEA relies on partnerships to launch inaugural programs: https://www.international.ucla.edu/cseas/article/272319?fbclid=IwAR1To5YbUJAtlqn5-UZzseRDdO5YlRY1BqQ_qgY1QBcB5htVOQyTBI-oD-s

PEMSEA expands its outreach and impact in Southeast Asia: https://www.international.ucla.edu/cseas/article/272334?fbclid=IwAR1RokxIl2DyboHGhyamux1vtq9wGOEHlraCZo0q4C3bcWKgRGBoilgiS2I