A collaborative meeting transpired under the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation – Bacolod (JBLCF-B) partnership, marking another step forward to strengthen collaboration and academic cooperation between the institutions.
CPSU’s International Affairs and Linkages Office Director Dr. Joe-an Mae G. Escober, College of Hospitality Management Dean Sheila A. Ignacio, MBA, Ilog Campus Admistrator Dr. Rhoda A. Aguilos, and Quality Assurance Office Director Engr. Rose Ann G. Jocson joined JBCLF-B’s Engr. Sylvino V. Tupas, PhD, JBLCF-B Administrator; International Relations Coordinator, Mr. Jun C. Montano, MPA, MBA; and OIC-Quality Assurance Manager, Mr. Bernard Sorbito Jr., at the JBLCF-B New Audio-Visual Room, JBCLF-B Campus, Bacolod City, last March 30, 2026.
Director Escober spoke on behalf of CPSU, showcasing the university’s grassroots-oriented life-changing technologies, sustainability-leaning practices, and internationalization campaign milestones, and presented the three pilot collaborative programs under the collaboration between the institutions.
“This partnership is not only strategic, but equally meaningful, as it speaks to our commitment to serve our respective communities and stakeholders, to empower our teams, and to uplift each other. So, as we look forward for this great anticipation to the activities we have today, projects in the future, let this be the foundation of our ongoing dialogue, sharing learning, and continuous improvement. Let this be a living partnership that grows, evolves, and adapts to meet new challenges and opportunities along the way. To all of our partners at CPSU, thank you for placing your trust in us. We value your collaboration, and we are committed to upholding our shared responsibility with transparency, accountability, and dedication. We believe this undertaking will open up new pathways, not just for the institutional growth, but for the lasting impact on various stakeholders,” said Engr. Tupas.
While JBLCF-B is a private institution of higher learning located at JB Drive, Pauline Village, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, and CPSU, being a government-chartered tertiary institution located in Kabankalan City, the collaboration is ideally foreseen to promote urban and rural community empowerment through potential extension services to communities, addressing social issues relevant in their respective localities.
On behalf of their respective universities, Engr. Tupas, PhD, JBLCF-B Administrator, and Dr. Aladino C. Moraca, CPSU President, signed the MOU on February 27, 2026, to officially seal the launch of the collaboration, aiming to broaden academic opportunities, cultivate multidisciplinary research initiatives, strengthen international engagement, and actively support community engagement.
Effective for five years upon signing, the MOU provides Cenphilians and Lacsonians to mutually benefit from: (1) student exchanges, educational visits, Christian-related activities, and volunteering opportunities; (2) industry-academic linkage; (3) university faculty and student researchers’ exchanges; and (4) academic collaboration, including summer school, educational-tourism projects, and visiting lectures.
In addition, sharing and enrichment of educational resources and advancement of research initiatives are also expected through (1) library resource exchanges; (2) organization of joint research projects, including conferences, seminars, workshops, and joint organizing of international conferences and meetings; and (3) exchange of information and publications.
Lastly, the MOU also enables collaboration on community extension activities, benchmarking and tutoring activities for accreditation purposes, and other activities mutually agreed upon by the two institutions.
