The University’s goal of intensifying initiatives for upland and coastal protection and conservation throughout the island of Negros Occidental led to its dynamic and promising partnership with Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a foreign charitable institution in the United Kingdom, thru its country director, Mr. Godofredo Villapando, Jr. last May 2, 2021.
The said agreement was set officially through the approval of the University's Board of Regents during their 103rd board meeting held last May 31, 2021 via Zoom teleconferencing.
As an international organization duly accredited and registered under Securities and Exchange Commission, ZSL aims to provide technical assistance through online training and webinar series on mangrove and beach forest rehabilitation and conservation, social marketing and biophysical assessment, and community organizing, among others.
As partners with CPSU, they have committed to facilitate and create synergy for coordination of action with communities, LGUs and to CPSU as their partner institution for sustainable development targets.
Dr. Aladino Moraca, CPSU president, stated that this is essential to fast-track inputs for local development in upland and coastal areas that could further stimulate efficiency-guaranteed technology transfer coming from international agencies.
"We see this collaboration with Zoological Society of London as an opportunity and a welcome partnership to complement the programs of the University towards the development and protection of our coastal and upland ecosystems by integrating global technologies translated into concrete actions that promote strong sustainability in addressing conservation and management of our ecosystems and resources," Dr. Moraca explained.
Identified areas to benefit from the said collaboration are the upland and coastal areas in the Cities of Kabankalan and Sipalay, and the Municipalities of Ilog, Cauayan and Hinobaan, and all in Negros Occidental.
CPSU through the Colleges of Agriculture and Forestry/Fisheries, Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Teacher Education, Criminal Justice Education, Information and Technology, Business and Management, Graduate School and the Research and Extension Unit likewise commit to develop and implement sustainable livelihood activities for the fisherfolks and farmers' communities; work with the LGUs, cooperatives and associations in the coastal barangays of the Municipalities of Ilog, Cauayan, Hinobaan, Hinigaran, and the Cities of Sipalay, San Carlos and Victorias for community-based protection and conservation of mangrove areas; facilitate hands-on training and coaching, conduct researches and Extension work; and integrate installation of solar home system and other renewable and appropriate technologies to support farming practices, among others.
With the successful outturn of this agreement, it is anticipated to upscale economic opportunities aligned to the University's direction for internationalization of agri-related and educational agenda to spur rural industrialization in the countryside.
by: J.A. Emoy