UPLB, UMD Sign MOU on Cooperation in Agriculture, Other Fields

(Seated, from left) University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., University of Maryland (UMD) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Dean Craig Beyrouty (standing, from left) Agriculture Attaché Josyline Javelosa, Consul General Renato Pedro Villa, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Portia Lapitan, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Rex Demafelis, UMD Professor and Extension Poultry Veterinarian Dr. Nathaniel Tablante, and UMD Associate Dean for Research and Associate Director of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Dr. Adel Shirmohammadi. (Washington PE photo)

WASHINGTON D.C. 17 January 2020 –– University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) on 03 December 2019 to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including collaboration in agriculture, food and nutrition security, and “one health”.

UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Dean Dr. Craig Beyrouty represented the Provost.

In July last year, Professor and Assistant Director and Family and Consumer Sciences Program Leader of the University of Maryland Extension Dr. Jinhee Kim 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.

Joining UPLB Chancellor Sanchez were Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Rex Demafelis and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Portia Lapitan.

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 of the types of cooperation identified in the MOU are exchanges 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. Javelosa expressed appreciation that one common interest and strength of both universities are in the areas of agriculture and natural resources. She also expressed hope that cooperation in these fields 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.

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. END

University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez Jr. (second from left) and the UPLB delegation pay a courtesy call to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (third from left) on 5 December 2019. (Washinton PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippineembassy-usa.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA  or https://www.twitter.com/philippinesusa.