In pursuit of creating the Mountain Province Study Center (MPSC) and Bamboo Center, the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College embarked on a benchmarking activity at the Center for Iloko and Amianan Studies and Bamboo R&D Station at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) on March 17-19, 2024.
The team was assisted by Mariano Marcos State University Center Directors on IKSP, Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, Bamboo R&D Station Director and CAFSD Dean, Dr. Charlie Batin, and Library Assistant Director Ms. Eliza G. Villarin, specifically on Ilocano Culture and Studies. An open forum discussion after the presentations of centers, tours at the centers, and a comprehensive analysis of the operational frameworks, curriculum development strategies, and cultural preservation efforts at MMSU’s Center for Iloko and Amianan Studies were among the activities conducted.
Through the benchmarking, the MPSPC team studied the research initiatives, community engagement programs, and resource allocation strategies employed by MMSU’s Bamboo R&D Station as well as extracted valuable insights into effective approaches for preserving cultural heritage and promoting indigenous knowledge relevant to the mission, vision, and objectives of the proposed MPSC.
Further, the benchmarking also led to the exploration of successful models, of academic-industry-government-community partnerships established by MMSU’s centers; identification of mechanisms for fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives between academic institutions, industry partners, government agencies, and local communities; and facilitated discussions among stakeholders to foster collaboration and partnership building for the proposed MPSC and Bamboo Center, ensuring alignment with the educational, cultural, and developmental needs of the Mountain Province community.
