Exploratory Meeting Sets Stage for Collaboration between NVSU and NIU

In an exploratory meeting held on January 22, 2024, Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), led by President Wilfredo A. Dumale, Jr., engaged with National Ilan University (NIU), represented by Dr. Chen-Wei Liang, Division Director of International Academic Cooperation. The meeting aimed to pave the way for a comprehensive partnership between the two institutions, with a focus on various collaborative avenues.

NVSU outlined its strategic areas of interest, emphasizing student exchange, faculty exchange, joint research conferences and projects, and the exchange of resources. The involved colleges from both universities include NIU's College of Bioresources, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, College of Humanities and Management, alongside NVSU's College of Arts and Sciences, College of Forestry, College of Engineering, College of Teacher Education, and College of Industrial Technology.

A noteworthy aspect of NIU's approach is the initiation of collaboration at the university level before extending partnerships to individual colleges. This streamlined approach is designed to expedite substantive cooperation across the entire institution.

The process towards a memorandum of understanding and agreement is already underway, showing the commitment of both institutions to a robust partnership. The exploratory meeting was arranged by Engr. Dale Mark N. Bristol, who is currently pursuing his dissertation at NIU under the MECOTECO scholarship. It was attended by Dr. Shu-Ju Liu from NIU, VPAF Cristina Salvosa, OIA Director Regine Karla G. Tabas, Dean Lori Shayne A. Busa of CAS-Bayombong, Dean Jayson Q. Caranza of CFERM, Dean William D. Magday, Jr. of CTE-Bayombong, Dean Larry P. Remolazo of COE-Bambang, Dean Vilma M. Santos of CIT, Dean Mary Gay T. Aguila of CAS-Bambang, and Ms. Abigail Faith C. Chinaman, who also contributed to the discussions, reflecting the depth and breadth of expertise involved in shaping this collaboration.