PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) hosted the first part of the Higher Education Leadership Mentoring Seminar (HELMS), spearheaded by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), on April 12, 2024, at the DNSC Gender and Development (GAD) Conference Room.

The gathering was attended by officials from DNSC, UPLB, and other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Mindanao, including the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU, event co-host), Davao de Oro State College (DdOSC), Davao del Sur State College (DSSC), Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Bukidnon State University (BukSU), and more.

Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., UPLB Chancellor, started off the discussion by elaborating on the primary aim of the activity and the intent of UPLB in, “making the institution and its graduate programs become more inclusive and accessible through partnerships and collaborations.” He also reminded the attendees of the huge role academic institutions play in propelling the nation forward.

An important outcome of the activity was the official signing of the Memoranda of Understanding on the Philippine-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS) and the Partnership between UPLB and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region XI.

Chancellor Camacho, supported by DOrSU President, Dr. Roy G. Ponce, also encouraged leaders from other SUCs to join the Network for Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture. The network promotes environmental and economic resilience by involving stakeholders in innovative and sustainable biodiversity management practices.

Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa, SUC President III of DNSC, expressed the College’s openness to UPLB’s proposal of creating a synergy among HEIs for a more complementary and collaborative approach to graduate program offerings and research in the region.