Unilab, MSU-IIT ink MOU on nutraceuticals R&D

Unilab, MSU-IIT ink MOU on nutraceuticals R&D

by contributed article

From L to R: Ma. Lourdes Garganera, UNILAB Assistant Vice President of the Office of Regulatory Affairs; Dr. Jinky Bornales, MSU-IIT Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension; Sukarno Tanggol, DPA, MSU-IIT Chancellor; Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, UNILAB Senior Vice President; Dr. Mylene Uy, MSU-IIT Acting Director of the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM); and Elaine Munsayac, UNILAB Director of the Executive Office.

Southeast Asia’s top pharmaceutical company Unilab, Inc. has forged an agreement with Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) for joint undertakings on the research and development of nutraceuticals and dietary products.

 The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a major milestone for the Philippine pharmaceutical sector as it signals the start of a strong collaboration between the academe and industry players.

 “There has been no real collaboration between the industry and the academe yet. According to USAID, there seems to be a mutual mistrust between the industry and the academe,” said Sukarno D. Tanggol, DPA, chancellor of MSU-IIT.

 The MOU which Unilab and MSU-IIT signed on February 6 at the Unilab Corporate Center in Mandaluyong City effectively broke the said mistrust. The MOU is the beginning of a partnership, not just between the two entities, but more so between the industry and academe.

 Unilab, being the leading pharmaceutical company in Southeast Asia, has been vigorously pursuing social partnerships, and Unilab Senior Vice President Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave stressed that he strongly believes the industry and the academe could work together.

 “Many things can happen outside Manila, that’s why Unilab chose MSU-IIT for this partnership,” Ochave said.

 He also said that they are looking for more R&D-focused universities outside of Metro Manila whose products or services they can help develop so these can be utilized by the people. “We need more industry-academe collaborations so that the results of government-funded researches do not end up simply gathering dust in the cabinets,” Ochave said.

From L to R: Ma. Lourdes Garganera, UNILAB Assistant Vice President of the Office of Regulatory Affairs; Dr. Jinky Bornales, MSU-IIT Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension; Sukarno Tanggol, DPA, MSU-IIT Chancellor; Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, UNILAB Senior Vice President; Dr. Mylene Uy, MSU-IIT Acting Director of the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM); and Elaine Munsayac, UNILAB Director of the Executive Office.

 MSU-IIT, through its Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM), is engaged in researches and studies on dietary products, nutraceuticals, and Mindanao’s flora and fauna.

 Nutraceuticals are food products or parts of a food that help treat or prevent certain diseases. Through this partnership, Unilab and MSU-IIT will collaborate in the review and evaluation of research studies with potential commercial benefit.

 “We are grateful that Unilab deemed MSU-IIT as a worthy partner. It has been my dream as a chancellor for the university to be known internationally, and this partnership signals that  Mindanao has institutions which can be tapped for the development of the country. In particular, PRISM is now envisioning to go over natural products. Through this partnership, not only is Unilab helping MSU-IIT in data, but we are also going to be able to help the communities in Mindanao, because there are many researchable products in MSU-IIT and in the areas nearby,” Tanggol said.

 Tanggol is optimistic that this partnership would also provide more space for MSU-IIT researchers to spread their wings.

 “This partnership also aims to show that there is a productive and prosperous career in science and technology. And in Unilab, there is a big need for science and tech graduates,” ends Ochave.

Kyoto University signs MOU with MSU-IIT

Kyoto University signs MOU with MSU-IIT

by Maria Cecilia Ferolin

In October 11, 2018, Chancellor Sukarno Tanggol signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of Asia’s top university, Kyoto University in Japan, particularly the famed Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), represented by its Director, Professor Hayami Yoko.  The MOU stipulates the promotion of academic exchange and partnership between the two institutions through programs of joint research, conferences, publications, the sharing of library and research resources, and the exchange of faculty. The signing took place at the Administrative Building of CSEAS in Kyoto City, Japan. Present in the signing are Professor Mario Ivan Lopez, Head of International Exchange Committee of CSEAS, Professor Caroline Hau of CSEAS and Professor Maria Cecilia Ferolin  of MSU-IIT.

IIT signs MOU with Osaka University

IIT signs MOU with Osaka University

by Michelle Jeanne C. Caracut, Office of the Chancellor

MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Center for Global Initiatives of Osaka University, Japan.  The MOU signaled a new commitment by both institutions for research collaboration, faculty and student exchange, and other international cooperation.

The MOU was signed by Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol and the Director of the Global Initiatives of Osaka University, Dr. Gyo Miyahara.

 In an interview with Dr. Nelia G. Balgoa, chairperson of the Department of English, and who spearheaded the scientific visit of Dr. Miyahara, and Prof. T.K. Tan, Associate Head of the College of Law and Humanities, School of Professional and Continuing Education of Hong Kong University, she expressed how delighted the department and the College of Arts and Social Sciences were with the new partnership.

 “This is to step up the internationalization efforts of the college and department in terms of visiting professors. We are happy that Dr. Tan was also able to visit. He is a friend and student of Dr. Miyahara. We hope this opened the doors for collaboration with Hong Kong University since Dr. Tan is part of the Language Center of the University,” said Balgoa.

During their visit on September 4, Miyahara and Tan gave lectures to graduate and undergraduate students of the department. 

“Dr. Miyahara talked on Minority Studies: A Research Design and Methodology for language studies and ethnographic science. Citing Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino as case studies, he talked about the formation and process of “nationalizing” a language, what makes a mother tongue and minority language. He then proposed areas which researchers can explore in language studies. Prof. Tan talked about the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, a student protest that happened in Hong Kong in September 2014. It was a timely topic within the context of the Marawi siege. Prof. Tan discussed the reasons and the results of youth activism. The talk also explored on the mechanisms in terms of symbolisms, strategies of protest which the students used to clamor for change,” Balgoa relayed.

Photos by: Lynrose Jane D. Genon, Department of English

Topics : MOU  Osaka University  partnership  linkage  collaboration