NVSU welcomes Fulbright Specialist Dr. Khan for Citrus Research Collaboration

Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) formally welcomes Dr. Awais Khan, a Fulbright Specialist, Associate Professor and Associate Director for Extension and Outreach at the School of Integrative Plant Science, Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University, New York, United States of America (USA), held at Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) Bayombong campus, July 8.

Dr. Khan joins NVSU as the expert scientist for the project “Molecular Profiling of NVSU Citrus Germplasm Collection” under the Fulbright Specialist Program, in collaboration with the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (Fulbright Commission in the Philippines).

This engagement is a result of the sustained efforts of the Office of the President and the Office of International Affairs, headed by Atty. Regine Karla Tabas, in building international linkages through the Philippine-American Educational Foundation since the start of Dr. Wilfredo A. Dumale Jr.'s presidency.

These efforts led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NVSU and PAEF on February 22, 2023.

In 2024, NVSU hosted Dr. Ariana French, Director of Digital Technology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, as a Fulbright Specialist in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology.

The welcome program held this afternoon marked the start of Dr. Khan’s 42-day engagement with NVSU, spearheaded by the Office of International Affairs and the Citrus Research and Resources Development Center, with support from the Office of the President, the College of Agriculture, and various partner agencies and academic units.

Representing Dr. Dumale, Vice President for Planning, Development, and Information Systems extended a welcome message.

“Dr. Khan’s visit is more than an academic exchange—it is a testament to the shared commitment of institutions around the world to advance knowledge, foster meaningful collaborations, and build capacities that respond to the complex challenges of our time,” Dr. Vadil said.

In his message, Dr. Khan—an international authority in molecular plant breeding—expressed enthusiasm to collaborate with Filipino scientists and agricultural experts.

A leading expert in molecular plant breeding, Dr. Khan expressed deep enthusiasm for contributing his two decades of scientific expertise to the project.

He shared his commitment to leveraging science for societal benefit and conveyed optimism that through strong collaboration with NVSU researchers, the citrus profiling initiative will successfully meet its goals and deliver impactful outcomes.

Dr. Khan also shared that it is his first time in the Philippines, and he is captivated by its natural beauty and warm hospitality.

“The Philippines is no other match,” he said, noting how Nueva Vizcaya’s mountainous landscapes reminded him of his home region in Pakistan.

This Fulbright Specialist engagement is expected to advance NVSU’s citrus research through the application of molecular tools for profiling the university’s rich citrus germplasm collection. The project aligns with NVSU’s vision of promoting science-driven agricultural development and enhancing its global research partnerships.