NEMSU Pres. Nemesio G. Loayon inks Mindanao Declaration on Excellence and Equity in Public HEIs with UP & SUCs

Davao City, September 15, 2023- The President of North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU), Dr. Nemesio G. Loayon, signed the Mindanao Declaration on Excellence and Equity in Public Higher Education with the University of the Philippines and other State Universities and Colleges in the Country during the SUC Summit held at Dusit Thani Residence in Davao City on September 15, 2023. The event was attended by various officials including Sen. Bong Go, CHED Chairperson J Prospero De Vera III, Commissioner Jo Mark Libre, UP President Angelo Jimenez, SUC Presidents, and other dignitaries.

The summit, called "Pagtutulay, Pagtutuloy: The 1st UP-SUC Summit," aimed to bring together leaders and prime movers of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to inspire inter-SUC engagements in transdisciplinary academic, research, and public service programs.

It is envisioned to promote many things, including presenting opportunities for student and faculty exchange, research and public service collaboration, and sharing resources.

Additionally, the summit aimed to promote best practices and innovative approaches in teaching and learning, research, and public service. Discussions centered around strategies for establishing and maintaining linkages between and among SUCs.

The summit also aimed to establish a network for sustainable and effective collaboration among UP, SUCs, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The event highlighted panel discussions on UP and SUC-initiated collaborations and actual demonstrations of UP’s innovations, programs, and resources, which may be offered collectively with the SUCs. CHED Chair J. Prospero De Vera delivered the Keynote Message.

The one-day event culminated in the signing of the Mindanao Declaration that sealed the commitment of UP and the other SUCs towards stronger and more effective cooperation.

After the panel discussion on UP-initiated Academic, Research, and Public Service Collaborations with speakers Elena R. Mirano, Professor Emeritus, Arts Studies, UP Diliman; Gerardo D. Legaspi, Director, UP Philippine General Hospital; Violeta V. Bautista, Professor Emeritus, UP Diliman-CCSP and Founding Director, UPD-Psychosocial Services; Luis G. Sison, Director, UP Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, President Loayon opined and inquired about establishing the NEMSU College of Medicine, how UP can assist NEMSU for its operations, and the roles and obligations of the parties to make such collaboration a dream-come-true milestone.

President Loayon along with other SUC Presidents had a photo opportunity with Sen. Bong Go.