Seaweed development and oceanography is the focus of a new partnership that UPV has signed with the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Science (IOCAS).
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the UPV Miagao campus on April 1, 2019 by UPV Chancellor Ricardo P. Babaran and Dr. Wang Fan, Director of IOCAS. The MOU is about fostering collaborative activities in oceanology, seaweed nursery, cultivation technology cooperation and industrialization.
Part of the cooperation will be exchange of researchers and scientists. Exchange of information in the fields of mutual interests and implementation of cooperative research programs were also assured. Access to facilities and equipment of both parties as well as direct contact between researchers was also part of the understanding.
President Bai Chunli of CAS witnessed the signing of MOU. He was with Cao Jinghua, Director, International Cooperation Bureau; Zhang Shizhuan, Director of Asia and Africa Section, International Cooperation Bureau; Liu Ning, Program Director of Asia and Africa Section, International Cooperation Bureau; Wu Yueliang, Deputy Chancellor, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Xie Yong, Director of International Cooperation Office; Wang Fan, Director, Institute of Oceanology; Li Yanwei, Director of International Cooperation Office, Institute of Oceanology; Duan Delin, PI of Experimental Marine Biology Lab, Institute of Oceanology.
Representatives from UP Visayas include: Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Martin Genodepa; College of Fisheries Dean Emilia Yap; College of Arts and Sciences Dean Severa Katalbas, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Noel Ferriols and other officials.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences, according to their website “is the linchpin of China’s drive to explore and harness high technology and the natural sciences for the benefit of China and the world. Comprising a comprehensive research and development network, a merit-based learned society and a system of higher education, CAS brings together scientists and engineers from China and around the world to address both theoretical and applied problems using world-class scientific and management approaches.”