Dr. Glenn Gregorio (fifth from the left) and SEARCA Center director; Dr. Nur Azura Adam (third from the left), deputy director for programs, pose with the Laguna University delegation, led by Dr. Colegio Gascon (fourth from the left), officer-in-charge president.
A delegation from Laguna University (LU) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 13 February 2024 to seek potential partnerships on their bamboo program. The delegation included Dr. Colegio Gascon, officer-in-charge president; Dr. Monette Bato, vice president for planning and finance; Dr. Marie Joy Elomina, director for the Research and Development Center; and Ms. Helen Grace Centeno, focal person for bamboo exploration initiatives.
Established in 2006, LU is a public university committed to providing access to education to the youth of Laguna, Philippines.
During the visit, Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA's Center director, provided an overview of SEARCA's mandate and core programs, emphasizing scholarship and research initiatives.
Dr. Gascon shared LU's commitment to unique research projects. "We've decided to explore the bamboo industry, specifically the textile industry in Laguna, and it would be an honor if we can partner with SEARCA in this endeavor," he said.
He then disclosed LU's contribution to the Laguna Bamboo Council as part of its technical working group. In addition, the university is working on free certificate programs on bamboo technology.
Ms. Centeno highlighted the potential of their bamboo program and explained that all bamboo species in Laguna are already utilized in the textile industry. She then explained the importance of ensuring enough bamboo inputs for manufacturing. With that, Dr. Gascon shared LU's coordination efforts with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on potential areas where they can plant more bamboo trees.
Dr. Gregorio expressed interest in the university's bamboo program. He encouraged the LU delegation to not limit their scope in Laguna and to find other suitable areas to plant bamboo. Moreover, he stressed that besides establishing a bamboo plantation, it is also significant to establish a bamboo germplasm collection and conservation facility to maintain the existing bamboo species and develop new ones if needed.
On the other hand, Dr. Nur Azura Adam, SEARCA's deputy director for programs, emphasized the importance of building strong expertise and foundation before seeking partnerships.
Dr. Gregorio agreed with Dr. Nur and suggested strategies for LU's program to be visible and relevant, including tapping an ambassador, establishing a bamboo park, organizing bamboo-focused contests, publishing coffee table books showcasing bamboo species, and developing unique bamboo products not limited to textiles. Furthermore, he suggested potential partners with whom they could collaborate.
To conclude the meeting, Dr. Gregorio asked the LU delegation to prepare a proposal to understand how SEARCA can support its program.
The visitors were welcomed by Dr. Gregorio; Dr. Nur; Ms. Beatrisa Martinez, executive coordinator, Office of the Director; and key staff from the Office of the Deputy Director for Programs and Partnerships Unit.