(L-R): IRRI Deputy Director General Junel Soriano and Community Relations and Engagement Manager Teodoro Correa, Jr. with UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano and UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Jean A. Saludadez.
On 3 June 2025, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) welcomed the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for a courtesy meeting at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. The two institutions, both located in the Los Baños community, discussed potential areas for collaboration.
UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Jean A. Saludadez met with IRRI Deputy Director General Junel Soriano and Community Relations and Engagement Manager Teodoro Correa, Jr..
UPOU meets with IRRI officials to discuss partnership opportunities in education and research.
The two parties explored partnerships to serve both local and global communities through education, research, and capacity building. Dr. Soriano expressed IRRI’s interest in strengthening institutional research partnerships, including with UPOU. He said that UPOU could be a strategic partner in its professional development program for the Department of Agriculture (DA) personnel.
IRRI also conveyed its willingness to open its facilities and laboratories for UPOU students who will conduct research with funding support from DA. UPOU proposed the development of free online courses that could be disseminated through IRRI’s networks to maximize impact. Additionally, IRRI sees an opportunity for some of its staff members to serve as adjunct faculty of UPOU.
Chancellor Serrano also acknowledged IRRI’s contribution to Project Lakbay by receiving students from Taiwan as part of their institutional visits. Other potential community-based initiatives included working with trolley drivers and organizing cleanup drives. Both institutions affirmed their commitment to further discuss these plans and pursue a formal partnership.
UPOU has collaborated with public and private development institutions based in the Los Banos community toward a more sustainable future. UPOU sees partnerships across the globe as essential to the attainment of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Written by Marinela Hernandez ♦ Edited by Primo Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Photo by Anthea Faye Peredo
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UPOU and IRRI Strengthen Partnership
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(L-R): IRRI Deputy Director General Junel Soriano and Community Relations and Engagement Manager Teodoro Correa,