The “Joint Ceremony for Research Collaboration Between Philippine Partner Institutions and JIRCAS (Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences)” transpired last September 28, 2026, with Central Philippines State University (CPSU) signing a joint research agreement with JIRCAS.

Respectively, conveying the messages of support on behalf of the Minister of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Mr. Naobumi Yokoya; and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary, Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the Embassy’s First Secretary, Mr. Akasaka Hidenori; and DA Under Secretary, Mr. Philip Young, respectively, spoke to the attendees from the participating institutions.

CPSU signed the “Development and Evaluation of Integrated Environmental and Socioeconomic Approaches to Sustainable Resource Management in Tropical Island Ecosystems” agreement under JIRCAS’ “Nature-Harmonized Agricultural and Natural Resource Conservation Technology Development for Tropical Island Robustness.”

Under the agreement, CPSU is expected to allow the use of laboratories and related facilities and scientific and support staff required for the project; on the other hand, JIRCAS will send scientist(s) to work on short- or long-term mutually agreed assignments and provide various supplies and equipment for the project.

Representing CPSU, University President Dr. Mae Flor G. Posadas stood in the limelight as she took part in the partner institutions session, sharing her take on the collaboration with JIRCAS-Philippines, including how the previous collaboration has helped enrich the research culture in the university and generated new technology for the benefit of the students, the community, and the environment.

Succeeding the joint signing on the 28th, the Symposium on Research Collaboration between Philippine Partner Institutions and JIRCAS was held on September 29, 2026, at the same venue, at the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall.

In the symposium, the “Keynote Presentation Charting the Way Forward: Toward a Cross-Sectoral JIRCAS—Philippines Research Network—Research Priorities for 2026-2032” was discussed by JIRCAS Program Director Mr. Keiichi Hayashi, while the “Review of Major Achievements from JIRCAS-Philippines Research Collaboration” was delivered by various Philippine partners of the Japan-based institution.

Alongside President Posadas and the Biodiversity Center Director and CPSU-Forestry Department Program Head Dr. Dominic L. Billen in the CPSU delegation, CPSU-Natural Resources and Environmental Management Services Office Director Mr. Gregorio D. Predo presented the study “Upland and Watershed Management: Soil and Water Conservation in Degraded Uplands,” which was part of the Yama-Sato-Umi (Ridge/Upland-Community-Downstreams) research undertaking.

Other Philippine partner institutions of JIRCAS present alongside CPSU for both the joint signing and the symposium were the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Department of Agriculture (DA), DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), and Aklan State University (ASU).

CPSU's participation in the engagement showcases how the university continuously broadens its foresight in contributing to the academe and community through relevant innovative technology and impactful joint research with partners, enabling students to be exposed to a culture of excellence as both a shared aspiration and shared reality.