Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Since its inception in 2014, Central Mindanao University (CMU) has marked a decade of successful scientific collaboration with the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (SIEE RAS) of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. This partnership is set to reach new heights, as both institutions are now working towards the formal renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this November and broadening the scope of their collaboration from parasitology to anthropology.
The CMU-SIEE RAS partnership has focused on parasitology, with both institutions making significant contributions to research, instruction, and extension efforts. Over the years, this collaboration has grown from a parasitology lecture forum to joint parasitological sampling, field schools, training workshops, and co-authored studies. One of the key achievements of this partnership is the publication of the paper “Morphological and Molecular Characterisation of Carnoya philippinensis sp. n. (Nematoda: Carnoyidae) from Mindanao Island, Philippines” in the Russian Journal of Nematology. This groundbreaking study, co-authored by Dr. Alma Mohagan, a fauna researcher from CMU’s Institute of Biological Sciences, has significantly advanced the understanding of parasitological interactions within Mindanao’s diverse ecosystems.
In August, CMU, represented by Dr. Mohagan, conducted a scientific exchange visit to Russia, where she participated in a field laboratory tour in Chernovolog led by Dr. Mikhail Pridannikov. This exchange provided a valuable glimpse into Russia’s agricultural and nematological practices, linking scientific research with industry to address global challenges such as poverty.
Beyond scientific endeavors, the partnership is also fostering cultural exchange. Dr. Mohagan shared that part of the expanded collaboration is integrating cultural understanding, noting that future initiatives will explore anthropology as a new area of focus. Plans for cultural and scientific exchange from December 2024 to January 2025 are underway, with CMU set to host a visit from esteemed Russian scholars, including Dr. Maria V. Stanyukovich from the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography.
Dr. Alma Mohagan, CMU’s lead in this collaboration, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work closely with Russian scientists. Reflecting on the partnership’s impact, she shared, “As CMU and SIEE RAS continue to work together, [our] partnership serves as a model for international collaboration, demonstrating the power of shared goals and collective action in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing the pressing issues of our time and for the futures.”
As CMU and SIEE RAS prepare the formal renewal of their MoU this November, their expanded collaboration signals a promising future, advancing both scientific discovery and intercultural understanding between the Philippines and Russia. (Iyren Dalipe Neri with information from Dr. Alma Mohagan, CMU-IBS Faculty Researcher and University Museum Supervisor)
