PRESS RELEASE
WDC-51-2019
12 December 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On his visit to the United States, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. signed a Memorandum of Understanding with University of Maryland College Park (UMD) which was inked by Provost Mary Ann Rankin in November 2019.
During the signing ceremony on 03 December 2019 at UMD College Park, the Dean of UMD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Dr. Craig Beyrouty represented the Provost.
The MOU aims to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including collaboration in agriculture, food and nutrition security, and “one health.”
In July this year, Dr. Jinhee Kim, Professor and Assistant Director and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Leader of the University of Maryland Extension, who facilitated the MOU signing from UMD’s end, introduced Philippine Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline Javelosa and UMD’s CANR, and further expressed the University’s openness in partnering with the Philippines.
Preceding the MOU signing ceremony were presentations made by both universities.
The UMD delegation joining Dean Beyrouty were CANR administrators and faculty – Associate Dean and Associate Director Dr. Jim Hanson; Associate Dean for Research and Associate Director of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Dr. Adel Shirmohammadi; Assistant Director and Program Leader for Agriculture and Food Systems Dr. Darren Jarboe; Professor and Extension Poultry Veterinarian (an alumnus of the UP System) Dr. Nathaniel Tablante; Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Hee Jung Song; , Professor of Nutritional Epidemiology Nadine Sahyoun; and Family and Consumer Services Extension Educator Dr. Shauna Henley.
Joining UPLB Chancellor Sanchez were Dr. Rex Demafelis, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, and Dr. Portia Lapitan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
From the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington D.C., Consul General Renato Pedro Villa and Dr. Javelosa joined the MOU signing ceremony and meeting between the two universities to commence planning on cooperation areas and activities.
Some cooperation types identified in the MOU for cooperation are exchange of subject-matter experts, specialists and scholars for training programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, and other academic meetings, and joint research activities.
Consul General Villa expressed the hope that such engagement between UPLB and UMD can enhance not only exchange of scientific knowledge but also of cultural traditions that can promote better understanding between the peoples of the Philippines and the United States.
Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline Javelosa expressed appreciation that one common cooperation interest and strength of both universities is in the area of agriculture and natural resources. She also expressed hope that cooperation in this field can facilitate effective knowledge transfers from the academe to farming practitioners that will promote improved farm productivity, human and animal nutrition, and inspire agriculture entrepreneurship and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
On 5 December 2019, the UPLB Officials also paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez.
Chancellor Sanchez discussed UPLB’s Internationalization and Human Resource Development Program to ensure that UPLB will sustainably have well-trained mentors as the university aims for “distinctive excellence” in academics, research and extension.
Ambassador Romualdez congratulated the visiting UPLB officials for their efforts to expand linkages with American universities as a means to become globally competitive and effectively contribute to national development.
UPLB is the Philippines premier publicly funded learning institution in agriculture, biotechnology and the environment.
UMD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources meanwhile, is the “Cornerstone College” of the University of Maryland. CANR embodies the University’s land grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life and empower the next generation through world-class education. ###
PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-145-2019
12 December 2019
