To strengthen research collaboration and technology intervention support between academe and Bangsamoro line agencies, Chancellor Bai Hejira Nefertiti Limbona, Ph.D., and her team slated a courtesy visit to Minister Aida Silongan on April 28, 2022, at the Ministry of Science and Technology – Regional Office.
One of the main points of the visit was to discuss with Minister Silongan the research undertakings MSU has for technology intervention support and collaboration efforts through research and development.
Chancellor Limbona and her colleagues discussed the research proposals and programs of Mindanao State University – Maguindanao that MOST might provide S & T intervention through research and technology transfer.
MSU-Maguindanao shared some of its endeavors such as seedling to prevent soil erosion, training communities to produce fish products, students developing machinery for fish products, establishing Halal on Goat and Sheep Farm, and training farmers to make Halal Goat and Sheep, advocating organic farming, and many more.
Specifically, Associate Professor Mariam Dumato proposed natural products production such as extra virgin coconut oil, herbal capsules (turmeric, lagundi, sambong, malunggay, serpintina), and lagundi syrup, ointment, liniment, skin moisturizing, herbal soap, sinamak vinegar, mushroom, and alcohol.
They have also discussed matters actualizing those researches to form a product such as raw materials to produce alcohol, vinegar, and other fermentation products.
Minister Aida Silongan said that MOST would provide technology intervention fit to the needs of that proposal. It will carry out through MOST Research and Development (R & D) and Science and Technology Services (STS).
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Director-General Nasrodin Buisan also discussed protocols and programs under MOST R & D and STS. He emphasized that MOST aimed to produce competitive products in the market with licenses to operate from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Certificate of Product Registration. It is one of the goals of MOST that MSMEs/academe/sole proprietors/other sectors supported by MOST would have products that meet quality standards.
Furthermore, Chancellor Limbona invited Minister Silongan to visit MSU-Maguindanao’s production site to see the intervention the MOST could offer and provide.
Minister Silongan accepted the request and would eventually visit the area in May 2022.
She encouraged the visitors to fasten all these undertakings to increase socio-economic development in the region through research and development.
(AOM-ICS)