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

To conduct skills training and transfer of knowhow to faculty researchers in conducting oceanographic surveys and research to help Bicolanos in the coastal communities in making science-based choices in terms of potential livelihood opportunities and sustainable livelihood practices,  the Partido State University-Caramoan Campus, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute hosted the Seminar Training on the Assessment of Water Quality and Profiling of the Coastal Environment on October 2-10, 2023.

The seminar-workshop training featured various lectures, hands-on training sessions, and demonstrations spearheaded by prominent scientists and their research associates from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI). The training brought together nine distinguished experts, six university associates, and more than 20 participants from various universities in the Bicol Region.

The opening activity involved hands-on training in basic oceanographic tools, including water sampling and profiling protocols, led by Professor and National Academy of Science and Technology Academician Dr. Cesar Villanoy. This practical demonstration set the tone for the subsequent days of learning and fieldwork. Key lectures were delivered throughout the 10-day training. Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy provided insights into the oceanography of the Philippine Archipelago. Dr. Charissa Ferrera, the 2018 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science National Fellowship awardee and one of the Asian Scientist 100 (2019 Edition), discussed Coastal Water Quality Monitoring and Oceanographic Tools. The NAST Academician, Dr. Cesar Villanoy, lectured on the Field Survey and the Atulayan Circulation Model. Dr. Fernando P. Siringan, an Academician of NAST and former Director of UP MSI, delivered a lecture on Coastal Erosion in the Philippines. Ms. Denise Faye Janer, a university research associate, shared her study results on acoustic data from Pag-asa Island. Dr. Wilfred John Santiañez, Assistant Professor at UP-MSI and Principal Investigator in the Phycology Laboratory, presented lectures on identifying seaweed species. Dr. Eizadora Yu, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Mentoring, Academic Progress and Advancement (ADMAPA), explored molecular diversity in marine organisms. Dr. Maria Helena Yap, a Professor Emeritus, discussed integrated habitat and livelihood analysis in the center of biodiversity. Dr. Rene Abesamis, a distinguished expert in Marine Protected Areas and co-developer of the MPA-FishMApp, provided an orientation on Fish Visual Census using MPA-FishMapp.

The final day of the seminar focused on practical application, with participants engaging in hands-on Fish Visual Census training led by Dr. Rene Abesamis, an expert in Marine Protected Areas. Another group participated in seaweed collection activities guided by Dr. Irene Rodriguez, a Balik-Scientist and Associate Professor at UP-MSI.

Engr. Ricardo C. Alindayu II and Jan Danielle P. Bonita of the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory concluded the session with a lecture and training on macro and microplastic assessments. This comprehensive seminar provided a platform for knowledge exchange, practical training, and networking, all aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of mariculture in Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

The participants find themselves grateful for the wealth of knowledge and expertise shared. This event paved the way for them to be deeply aware of the critical importance of safeguarding the coastal environments. The collaboration among distinguished experts, passionate participants, and the tireless commitment of UP-MSI and ParSU has ignited a sense of responsibility toward preserving the oceans and the vital ecosystems they support. Participants understood that the sustainable path for mariculture is intertwined with the collective dedication to protecting fragile coastal ecosystems.

The event is in line with the goals of the ParSU Futures Thinking and Higher Education Research and Innovation Programs and Initiatives, which is to "promote sustainable behaviors among people, with these desired behaviors strategically integrated with science, culture, education, technology and the arts through capacity building."