With the goal to intensify its partnership and collaboration with international partners, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) inked
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), an agency under Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry.
The MOU was signed on June 26, 2019 at the PCAARRD Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.
PCAARRD and MARDI have been partners since 1975. Two agreements were previously signed by the two agencies – in July 1975 and in November 1994. Both agreements focused on joint planning and implementation of collaborative research projects and exchange of scientists/experts/researchers for sharing of experiences and scientific and technical knowledge and achievements.
Realizing the significance of the collaboration, both agencies decided to revive its partnership and explore more areas and modes of cooperation. In the revived MOU, modes of cooperation include joint planning and implementation of collaborative R&D projects; exchange of scientists/experts/researchers; conduct of joint trainings/conferences/symposia/workshops; participation in scientific seminars/workshops/conferences/symposia/other related meetings; exchange of scientific/technical publications; and encouraging collaboration between other relevant scientific institutions and organizations from the Philippines and Malaysia through PCAARRD and MARDI.
The revived MOU was signed by Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director, PCAARRD and YBhg. Datuk Dr. Mohamad Roff bin Mohd Noor, Director General, MARDI.
Both sides are now working on the details of the work plan of cooperation focusing on areas such as development of aquafeeds, technologies for value addition of corn products and process, technologies for value addition of coconut products and process, livestock breeding, and technology transfer and commercialization.
As an end note, Dr. Ebora said, “the signing of our MOU is only the beginning. I hope we stay committed and true to our vision for this partnership for the many years to come” (Katrina Kae S. Principe, Cyrill S. Estimado, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).
