Zeros!

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (NWTF) last May 2 at CPSU-Main Campus Mini-hotel to build sustainable communities, promote 17 Sustainable Development Goals, lobby the 3Zero Club mission in Negros Occidental.

According to the 3ZERO Club Official Website 3ZERO Club, “Is an initiative towards achieving the Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus’s vision of creating a world of three zeros — zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty, and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in all.”

CPSU President Dr. Aladino C. Moraca, and Mr. Alejandro Sebastian Cosculluela on behalf of Miss Suzzette D. Gaston, signed the MOU on behalf of the university and NWTF, respectively, and were witnessed by CPSU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Fernando D. Abello and Extension and Community Services Director Dr. Jimmy Degillo, with Dr. Maryvic P. Pedrosa as CPSU's contact person for the project.

According to the signed MOU, the partnership will last for three years and is formed to extend the university’s services to the local community and local industries with the support of the NWTF.

Through the MOU, NWTF is expected to provide introduction and orientation on environment sustainability, 3ZERO Club, and social business; training and capacity-building activities tailored for faculty and students interested in environmental sustainability and social business; support for research and development programs focusing on sustainability and community development; facilitation of immersion, fieldwork, and internship opportunities; organization of forums, workshops, and other activities with sustainability and social business; provision of at least 3000 solar units for the One Million Trees Campaign as part of the trade-off scheme adopted by the two parties.

On the other hand, CPSU is expected to facilitate research and development programs supporting sustainability and social business; promotion and encouragement of Social Business, creation of 3ZERO Clubs, and sustainability among students, faculty, and its workforce; hackathons, business plan competitions; thesis writing and special projects; forums, workshops, and other initiatives.