VLIR-UOS, the scholarship arm of the Belgian (Flemish) government, and two other universities in Belgium have signified their commitment to continue to support Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology through research grants and graduate scholarships.
This year, two students from the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) have been awarded by VLIR-UOS a Master of Science degree full scholarship.
Ms. Dubhe Joy S. Carmen from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics will pursue a degree in Master of Statistics and Data Science (Bioinformatics track) at Hasselt University.
Ms. April Lyn C. Leonar from the Department of Biological Sciences will enroll in the degree in Master of Science in Nematology at Ghent University.
Aside from graduate scholarships, VLIR-OUS also provides research grants annually to alumni of Belgium universities on a competitive basis. For this year, VLIR-OUS has granted a South Initiative grant to MSU-IIT. The recipient of the grant is Assoc. Prof. Joey Genevieve T. Martinez from the Department of Biological Sciences of CSM.
Assoc. Prof. Martinez will be working with Asst. Prof. Nanette Hope N. Sumaya and Assoc. Prof. Ma. Reina Suzette B. Madamba on finding ways to minimize mercury effects in soils, utilizing local materials and using soil communities as bio-indicators. This project is in partnership with Ghent University through Prof. Tom Moens and Prof. Wim Bert.
Assoc. Prof. Martinez is also a recipient of a VLIR-UOS grant for his doctoral project in Mindanao.
VLIR-OUS, in partnership with universities in Belgium, continues to commit itself to support its extensive network of researchers from developing countries through various research initiatives, such as the South Initiative, TEAM, Joint Projects, and Institutional University Cooperation.
— contributed news