LAMUT, Ifugao – – The lone state university in the province here is strengthening its international linkages for academic cooperation and research collaboration with foreign universities towards the fulfilment of its vision of a globally recognized university upholding excellence amidst its rich cultural heritage.
The Ifugao State University (IFSU) has entered into a three-Year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Chengchi University (NCCU) of Taiwan to promote international academic cooperation and research experiences between the two universities.
Said MOU was signed by IFSU president Dr. Eva Marie C. Dugyon and NCCU president Dr. Ming-Cheng Kuo in Taiwan last week. Both universities agreed to exchange academic materials and information; mutually receive educational visits by faculty members and researchers; hold joint international conferences, and conduct joint research projects.
It also includes the establishment of a Science and Technology Innovation Center for Taiwan-Philippines Indigenous and Local Knowledge, and Sustainable Studies. The Center will promote the international exchange of research projects and local communities and organizations between Taiwan and the Philippines.
“The MOU with NCCU is another big step for us in positioning IFSU in the international arena as a center for indigenous and sustainable development studies.” Dugyon said.
IFSU as the lone university in the province takes the responsibility of upholding the academic influence of indigenous knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP) and in addressing challenges on their preservation and conservation.
“Our role in the academe is to ensure the establishment of indigenous knowledge information system that will serve as a benchmark, direction and basis for local policymaking in agriculture, health, natural resources management and certainly, heritage conservation,” Dugyon added.
Eulallie D. Dulnuan, IFSU’s director for the Ifugao Rice Terraces-Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IRT-GIAS), agreed that the MOU is a great opportunity for indigenous communities to share and experience international exchange of indigenous and local knowledge.
“It will be also be a platform to showcase our ethnic weaving, woodcarving and other indigenous crafts,” Dulnuan said. **JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao with report from IFSU
