NBSC AND LSU OZAMIZ SEAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR ACADEMIC AND COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT
Marking a significant milestone in regional academic cooperation, Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) and La Salle University (LSU) Ozamiz, Inc. formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 7, 2026. The event, held at the NBSC Boardroom, established a five-year framework for collaborative research, extension projects, and capacity-building programs designed to benefit both institutions. This covenant of excellence aims to foster mutual understanding and institutional growth through equity and reciprocity.
Prior to the formal proceedings, the LSU Ozamiz delegation was treated to a guided tour of the NBSC campus by Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa, Director of the Research Development and Innovation Division (RDID). The visitors explored the College’s Indigenous Cultural and Creative Innovation (ICCI) Hub, a facility dedicated to preserving and promoting local cultural heritage through innovative practices.
The visiting party from LSU Ozamiz was led by Chancellor Dr. Wenny M. Caseros, who represented University President Br. Rey E. Mejias FSC. She was accompanied by Ms. Rose Aimee G. Mangao, Vice-President for Finance and Accounting Services; Engr. Flordeliza N. Cabang, Vice-President for Administrative Services; Dr. Carousel B. Tagaylo, Director of the Institutional Research and Publication Center; and Mr. John Mark N. Saldivar, Chair of the Research Ethics Committee.
Representing NBSC President Dr. Christie Jean Villanueva-Ganiera, CESE, was Mr. John Kevin A. Artuz, MS, Vice-President for Administration and Finance. Also in attendance were Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa, and Ms. Rowena E. Bagongon, MA, Director of the Student Affairs, Services, and Development Division (SASDD), who represented Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jovelyn G. Delosa.
During the opening remarks, Dr. Acuesa showcased the RDID Data Management System (DMS), illustrating how institutional research projects from 2024 have been strategically aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The ceremony featured messages of strong commitment and gratitude. Mr. Artuz expressed his sincere thanks to LSU Ozamiz for their willingness to collaborate, while Dr. Caseros delivered an inspiring message that touched on regional unity. Borrowing a poignant line from “One Vision, One Ocean,” the official theme song for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026, Dr. Caseros remarked, “We sail as one beneath the sun,” symbolizing the unified journey the two institutions are embarking upon. The program concluded with the formal signing and an hour of lunch and networking intended to spark further dialogue between the two parties.
This collaboration is poised to streamline NBSC’s data-driven approach to knowledge production and community engagement. By integrating shared expertise and cross-institutional resources, the College strengthens its ability to produce globally relevant research that directly addresses local challenges, ensuring its scholarly outputs remain at the forefront of regional innovation.
