Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao and the participants of the Strategic Planning of the Technical Working Group for the Creation of the UP BDI

The Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Creation of the UP-Bangsamoro Development Institute (UP-BDI) conducted a two-day strategic planning workshop on March 4-5, 2024, at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City.

Headed by Prof. Lyre Anni E. Murao, Chairperson of the UP-BDI TWG, this session aimed to foster collaboration between UP and the Bangsamoro, focusing on co-creating opportunities and taking collective action to enhance human capital, improve socio-economic conditions, and contribute to sustainable development in the Bangsamoro.

The workshop, facilitated by Mr. Domingo Angelo B. Lopez, a strategic planning consultant, delved into frameworks to define UP-BDI's crucial role as a 'clearinghouse, think tank, and resource hub.' Key individuals, including EVP Fernando Alcantara (joined via Zoom), Dr. Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, Dr. Annette Pelkmans-Balaoing, Ms. Gracita R. Jacinto-Ali, Prof. Vladimer B. Kobayashi, Dr. Mohammad Khalil A. Guinomla, Mr. Martin Hilario Lanuza Mapolon, Mr. Michael A. Gatela, and Prof. Cleto L. Nanola Jr., actively collaborated with participants from UP Mindanao, such as Prof. Annabelle U. Novero – Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ms. Jo-An A. Garcia – Budget Officer, and Prof. May Anne E. Mata – Director, UP Mindanao Office of Research.

Together, they crafted a Vision, Mission, and Values statement, set strategic goals, and formulated implementation strategies. This collaborative effort fostered shared understanding and commitment and envisioned UP-BDI as a crucial platform for creating opportunities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

 

Members of the TWG for the Creation of the UP-BDI with Minister Mohammad Yacob and BARMM officials

The Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Creation of the UP-Bangsamoro Development Institute (UP-BDI) meets with the BARMM Ministries to present the Climate Smart Agriculture Project on March 11, 2024, at the Bangsamoro Government Compound in Cotabato City.

Headed by UPMin Chancellor and Chair of the TWG for the creation of UP-Bangsamoro Development Institute, Prof. Lyre Anni E. Murao, along with the TWG members, Mr. Martin Hilario L. Mapolon, Dr. Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, TWG Project Staff, and representative Dr. Decibel Eslava, presents the prospective project to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

This initiative aims to establish a platform for collaboration between UP and BARMM, particularly to equip local farmers in the Bangsamoro region with the knowledge and resources necessary to thrive in evolving climatic conditions, safeguard livelihoods, enhance productivity, and ensure food security.

The team and MAFAR Minister, Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob, discussed collaborative interests, mainly focusing on Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) on agricultural development in BARMM. Minister Yacob expressed interest in exploring partnership opportunities by aligning the project with their prepared food security roadmap, engaging in research and development cooperation (agricultural research) with MAFAR's allocated funds on five (5) major crops (such as coffee, cacao, durian, banana, and abaca), and solidifying this commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding.

A subsequent meeting with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Director-General Abdulrakham Asim sparked new opportunities for potential collaboration. These include the establishment of the Bangsamoro Science School, where UP could assist in developing a curriculum tailored to science and technology (S&T) contexts and complementary subjects to enhance capacities. UP could also provide IT assistance for the MOST team to set up their server and conduct research for disaster mitigation and prevention.
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