In a significant milestone toward its pursuit of global collaboration on research and academic undertakings, Sorsogon State University (SorSU), under the leadership of SUC President III, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, graciously welcomed 12 international phycologists from Brazil, Mexico, the USA, South Korea, and Japan on May 30, 2025, and successfully hosted a roundtable discussion focused on collaborative opportunities in global research and academic education on June 1, 2025, at the SorSU Dormtel, Sorsogon City Campus.
In her welcome remarks, SorSU President De Jesus expressed her hope that the dialogue would mark the beginning of a fruitful and meaningful global collaboration on research and scholarly initiatives.
On behalf of the delegation, Dr. Lawrence M. Liao (Hiroshima University, Japan) extended profound appreciation to SorSU officials and attendees for the warm welcome. He particularly acknowledged Dr. Richard V. Dumilag and his team for extending an invitation to visit the University.
Dr. Liao highlighted, “We really, really hope that there will be productive outcomes from our initial discussions. And these discussions and plans can be sustained for a long time in support of the University research agenda in collaboration with LGUs. During the last two to three days, we have seen many potentials. We have seen many areas where we could provide support and work together.”
The visiting international phycologists included Prof. Mutue Toyota Fujll (Instituto de Botanica, Sao Paulo), Prof. Mariana Cabral de Oliveira (Department of Botany, Universidad Sao Paulo), Prof. Estela Maria Plastino (Department of Botany, Universidad Sao Paulo), Valeria Cres Gelli (Instituto de Pesca de Sao Paulo de Agencia Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegocios de Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do Estado de Sao), & Francine Pellizzari (Universidade Federal de Parana Brazil) from Brazil; Prof. Ileana Ortegon-Aznar (Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan) from Mexico; Prof. Ligia Collado-Vides (Florida International University) from the USA; and Myung Soo Kim (Director, Research Institute for Ba University), Miyeon Yang (Postdoc, RIBS, Jeju National University), Jeong Chan Kang (PhD Student, Jeju National University), & Jong Chul Lee (PhD Student, Jeju National University) from South Korea.
During their visit, the international guests also explored SorSU’s Herbarium Sorsogonense, accompanied by Dr. Dumilag, Dr. Telesforo D. Escoto (Campus Director, Sorsogon City Campus, and other SorSU key personnel.
In its dedicated pursuit of institutional excellence, SorSU actively engages in academic partnerships, research collaborations, and scholarly initiatives with various local and international institutions, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation that advances quality education and research impact. (SorSU PIO)
