BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
ILOCOS NORTE (June 23)—The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte has forged an agreement with Laoag City-based Northwestern University (NWU) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) for the Bachelor of Science in Biology internship program this year.
According to Danie Tapaoan Jr., MMSU information officer, the tie with NWU and PENRO to further enhance students’ competencies was made possible through a memorandum of agreement (MoA).
Signing the MoA on June 20, Dr. Shirley Agrupis as university president represented MMSU, Dr. Ferdinand Nicolas as the university president represented NWU, and Victor Dabalos as head represented PENRO.
Tapaoan noted that based on the MoA, NWU and PENRO will allow MMSU students of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to have their online and face-to-face practicum, self-directed learning, enhancement/enrichment training, and field work in their agencies for 150 hours.
He said the agreement will take effect on July 5 and will end on May 31, 2023.
Agrupis has expressed thanks to the NWU, which is a private university, and PENRO for the partnership, hoping that the learning opportunity will help the state university produce competent biologists in the future.
Nicolas and Dabalos also expressed their commitment to make the partnership successful.
MMSU Vice President (VP) for Research and Extension Nathaniel Alibuyog, VP for Planning and Development Ami Ruth Cocson, CAS Dean Marivic Alimbuyuguen, CAS Department of Biological Sciences faculty, and other NWU and PENRO officials witnessed the MoA signing.