A signing ceremony held at UP Diliman campus on July 14, 2023, marked the beginning of a significant collaborative project involving the University of the Philippines, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the Korean government represented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Entitled “Capacity-Building for Higher Education and the Establishment of Agricultural Genomics Research Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños,” the project is scheduled to run until 2026.

Apart from the construction of an agricultural genomics research center at UPLB, it aims to stimulate Philippine agricultural competitiveness through stronger science and technology adaptation, promote genome-based research and development (R&D) capabilities, and foster bilateral relations between the Philippines and Korea.

The signing ceremony was attended by UP President Angelo Jimenez, KOICA country director Eunsub Kim, UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr., and UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Nathaniel Bantayan. 

Kenneth McNally and Jae Sung Lee from IRRI and Neil Andrew Bascos, Eva Maria Cutiongco-De la Paz, and Michael Velarde from the Philippine Genome Center were also present.

In his welcome remarks, Chancellor Camacho thanked the UP System and KOICA for entrusting UPLB with the project and pledged UPLB’s commitment to ensuring its fruition. According to Camacho, the AGRC “complements UPLB’s AGORA research and extension agenda” and would “significantly contribute to UPLB’s capability to support and empower the Philippine agricultural sector through science and technology”.

In his message, UP President Jimenez laid out the obligations and roles of UP, UPLB, and KOICA to realize the project. Emphasizing collaboration and the “unwavering commitment” of all parties involved, he called the project a transformative one that would “bring immense benefits to the agricultural sector, research and development, and the Philippines-Korea relationship as a whole.”

Country Director Eunsub Kim spoke on behalf of KOICA, sharing his excitement for the project to be implemented. He noted that technological adaptation was vital to the project and encouraged collaboration with other partners to maximize the AGRC’s potential.

After the messages from UP and KOICA, a short presentation of the project was given by Prof. Maria Genaleez Diaz, co-chair of the UPLB Technical Working Group. 

In his closing remarks, Vice Chancellor Bantayan said that the event was a reminder of the saying, “to whom much is given, much is required.” He said that “through a mutual partnership with KOICA, we can be confident that we will be able to leave no one behind with people-centred peace and prosperity” and that he was eagerly looking forward to Phase 2 of the project.

The Korean government has pledged a total of USD 14,950,000 for the project, with the Philippine government committed to securing funding for its continuation and sustainability. (Albert Geoffred B. Peralta)