Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), through the Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Aklan State University (ASU) at the International Convention Center, Bacnotan, La Union on January 16, 2024.

Committed to the goal of optimizing the contribution to livelihood development programs leading to economic productivity, ASU, led by University President Dr. Emily Miralles Ramos-Arangote and DMMMSU-SRDI with University President, Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., led the signing of  MOA for the project titled, SERICULTURE: An Alternative Source of Income to Enhance the Livelihood of Men and Women Farmers of the Province of Aklan, with the motto “Building Skill, Creating Opportunities”.

SRDI has been mandated by R.A. 7359 to educate and train sericulturists, conduct research and extend technologies, develop and package sericulture technologies, and transfer, apply, and implement commercially viable technology-based projects to increase productivity and improve the competitiveness of enterprises. Hence, the development of industry-based skills through university-government-community partnerships will mainly focus on technologies and knowledge transfer and exchange for greater social good.

Cognizant of the thrusts of the institutions, ASU and DMMMSU have agreed to facilitate the community extension services and Gender Development Mainstreaming needed by communities. SRDI Executive Director, Dr. Cristeta F. Gapuz, served as a witness in the signing of the MOA. (By JAngayen)