DMMMSU has taken a significant step towards promoting sustainability and international cooperation by becoming an official member of the Philippine Canada Network for Sustainability Ilocos Region (PCNS Ilocandia).
The partnership was solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed by representatives of participating institutions at the Center for Flexible Learning, University Library Building, Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, Ilocos Norte last January 24, 2024. This marks a milestone in DMMMSU’s commitment to fostering sustainable development initiatives within the Ilocos Region.
The network will be engaged in collaborative research extension and development, curriculum and academic engagements with universities within the Ilocos Region, other Philippine HEIs, and Canada Education Institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan, Dalhousie University and the University of Prince Edward Island, Vancouver Island University, Mount Royal University, University of Victoria, University of Manitoba, University of British Columbia and York University, among others.
As a member of PCNS-Ilocandia, DMMMSU will have access to a wide range of resources, including research funding opportunities, technical assistance, and networking events with other member institutions and stakeholders. With its extensive network of partners and stakeholders, PCNS-Ilocandia provides an invaluable platform for DMMMSU to amplify its impact and contribute to the collective effort towards building a more sustainable and resilient future for the Ilocos Region and beyond.
In 2023, DMMMSU already forged partnership with PCNS through a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC), Romblon State University (RBS), Far Eastern University (FEU), Universidad de Dagupan (UdD), University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Panpacific University PU), Tarlac State University (TSU), The Manila Times College of Subic (TMTCS), World Citi Colleges (WCC) and WCC- Aeronatical and Technological College WCC-ATC).
This is an offshoot of the Philippine Partnership Study Mission participated by HEI representatives — including DMMMSU at the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Toronto and Vancouver in 2022 and 2023, and British Council International Education Week (BCIEW) Annual Conference in Victoria in 2023. The PCNS’ roadmap is structured in these themes — people and society, administration and governance, environment and climate, and teaching and research. It is a network of HEIs focused on economic and environmental stability.
DMMMSU has an existing partnership with the University of Regina (UofR) and University of Saskatchewan (USask). It was also included in the seven Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country to work as a network forming the Philippine Canada Education Consortium Magic 7+ dubbed as PhilCanEDUCON Magic 7+. The network is geared towards intensifying the protection, conservation and promotion of selected Filipino cultures in the Philippines.
The University has also sought the expertise of USask in establishing the first-ever medicine program in La Union by seeking the expertise of and establishing collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Canada—during a virtual meeting held last August 22, 2023.
Likewise, it has unveiled a bold proposal to establish the Lam-ang Institute Indigenous and Social Science Research Center (ISSRC). The initiative aims to create a hub for cutting-edge research in the field of social sciences, reinforcing the university’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. The seed idea of the Lam-ang Institute sprouted when the proponent joined the International Academic Study Exposure Visit (IASEV) of the PhilCanEDUCON Magic 7+ Consortium in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada in October 2022. DMMMSU learned about the strong presence of indigenous peoples and indigenous cultures in the research agenda of the Saskatchewan institutions visited – University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, and the First Nations University of Canada.
PCNS is a collaborative platform that facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative projects between Philippine and Canadian institutions, aimed at addressing pressing sustainability challenges. (By Jesus Rafael B. Jarata)