CMU colleges forge partnerships with IPB University
Central Mindanao University (CMU) strengthened its academic partnerships with IPB University and its Center for Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST Center) in Indonesia through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Letters of Intent (LOIs) on October 5, 2026, at IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia.
The agreements involve the College of Human Ecology (CHE), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), and College of Agriculture (CAG), as well as the Center for Food Research, Innovation and Extension (CFRIE). They aim to foster collaboration in education, research, faculty and student exchange, and other activities that will benefit both universities.
The partnership signing took place alongside the 39th University Consortium (UC)-SEARCA Executive Board Meeting, where CMU representatives joined academic leaders from other institutions to discuss strengthening cooperation and building new partnerships.
Through the MOU, CMU and IPB University reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in education, research, and other academic endeavors. The agreement also opens opportunities for both universities to share knowledge and experiences and develop projects that can benefit their faculty and students.
The LOIs focus on closer cooperation between CMU’s three colleges and their partner units at IPB University.
The partnership between the CHE, CFRIE, and IPB University’s Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, and the SEAFAST Center will pave the way for academic exchange, collaborative research, and knowledge sharing to enhance academic programs.
Meanwhile, CHSS will collaborate to work with IPB University’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Human Ecology on joint academic activities, research, and knowledge sharing in the social sciences and humanities.
The CMU Department of Development Communication also formalized its partnership IPB University’ Faculty of Human Ecology to promote scientific, academic, and educational cooperation.
Representing CMU during the signing activities were Dr. Jose S. Valmorida, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Judith D. Intong, Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Key IPB University officials present were Prof. Dr. Iskandar Z. Siregar, Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Collaboration and Alumni; Dr. dr. Ivan R. Sini, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition; Prof. Dr. Sofyan Sjaf, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Human Ecology (FISEMA); and Dr. Puspo Edi Giriwono, Director of the SEAFAST Center. Representatives from the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, FISEMA, and the Center for Agrarian Studies also participated, reflecting IPB University’s strong institutional support for the collaboration.
These agreements show the shared commitment of CMU and IPB University to working together and creating more opportunities for their academic communities. Through university-wide and college-level partnerships, both institutions can strengthen research, support faculty and student exchanges, and develop activities that will benefit their respective communities.
For CMU, the partnership marks another step toward enhancing education quality, expanding international connections, and providing faculty and students more opportunities to learn and work with partners from other countries.
As CMU continues to build relationships with international universities, its partnership with IPB University supports its goal of producing globally competitive graduates and advancing education and research through cooperation.
The partnerships advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): 4 Quality Education, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by promoting academic collaboration, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development through research and knowledge-sharing. [Information from Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs]
