VSU, UP Manila ink partnership to strengthen academic, research collaborations

Through the Department of Biotechnology, VSU and the University of the Philippines-Manila (UP Manila) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 22, 2025 for academic and research initiatives.

This partnership was initiated through the ongoing research project on “Effects of a Westernized Diet on the Gut Microbiome, Metatranscriptome, and Metabolome of School-Aged Children in Leyte: A Follow-up Study” which Dr. Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio, UP Manila’s Vice Chancellor for Research, and Ms. Donna Christene Ramos, Head of VSU’s Department of Biotechnology, works on. 

This research project is part of the Asian Microbiome Project (AMP) led by research partners from Kyushu University, Japan, who visited VSU in August 2024. 

See: #GoingGlobal: Biotech dept welcomes research partners from Japan

Through this partnership, VSU and UP Manila will work together to enhance educational programs, curriculum development, faculty exchange, student development, and academic resources. Both institutions will also collaborate for research efforts in various fields. 

In his speech, UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tee expressed his appreciation to VSU  for partnering with them. 

“Our partnership should not only be in papers but going above and beyond what is stated in the agreement, all for the betterment of those we are serving,” Dr. Tee said. 

Meanwhile, VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes is glad for this partnership, most especially that VSU will soon open its College of Medicine, eyeing potential collaboration with UP Manila's College of Medicine.

Aside from Dr. Dalmacio and Ms. Ramos, present during the MOU signing were Dr. Rev Rhizza L. Aure, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Ms. Hazelle V. Asaldo, Board Secretary, Mr. Mike Laurence V. Lumen, Executive Assistant, Dr. Viven Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, UP Manila’s Director for International and Local Linkages and Dr. Sharia Laine De Paz-Silava, one of the faculty members from UP Manila’s College of Public Health. 

In 2022, UP Manila, through the School of Health Sciences, and VSU signed an MOU for a collaboration research agreement on semen evaluation of the Philippine native boar.  

This article is aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). 

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