SorSU bolsters int’l ties through agricultural and academic collaborations in South Korea — inks MOA with global partner Dagam Farm; University delegation benchmarks at Gyeongsang National University, engages in academic meetings, farm tours/agricultural tech centers, cultural exchanges with various SK institutions
To further strengthen the academe’s global reach and continuously expand its international collaborations in pursuit of its vision to produce globally competitive leaders and professionals, Sorsogon State University (SorSU) delegation, headed by SUC President III, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, along with Prof. Andrew F. Detera (Campus Director, SorSU-Castilla Campus), Dr. Rochelle N. Aragon (Dean, College of Agriculture-Castilla Campus), and Ms. Mari Anne B. Gojar (International Relations Office Coordinator, SorSU-Castilla Campus), embarked on a five-day academic undertaking to South Korea, including sealing a Memorandum of Agreement with global partner Dagam Farm, conducting benchmarking session and academic meeting with Gyeongsang National University, as well as engaging in farm tours/agricultural centers, educational visits, and cultural exchanges, held from October 20-26, 2024.
A global partner of the University since their official MOU signing last November 20, 2023, Dagam Farm, represented by Mr. Kang Chang Goog (CEO, Dagam Farm) and Engr. Annelin Paming (Agri-Tech International Exchange Consultant, Dagam Farm), and SorSU further reinforced their international cooperation by formalizing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing, which aims to facilitate collaborative trainings & other endeavors; provide overseas education/internship programs in agriculture, agriculture technology, & other related programs; and offer employment opportunities for recent graduates/alumni.
During the Dagam Farm tour, the SorSU delegation visited the persimmon plantation, rice plantation, and various farm facilities, where the team had the opportunity to try persimmons freshly harvested from the farm. Interestingly, the name “Dagam” translates to “abundant supply of sweet persimmon”, reflecting the farm’s centennial heritage.
In addition, various activities at Dagam Farm — comprising a professor training program, a short lecture on smart farming practices in Dagam Farm, a persimmon plantation tour using an electric crawler carrier, a visit to the persimmon packaging area, automatic rice milling machine demonstration, smart farm tour, and fan painting — engaged the University delegates. Notably, Dagam Farm, recognized as an educational farm and rural experience village by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) and is specified as Work Place Learning (WPL) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea, is excellently managed by its very own CEO, Agricultural Meister Kang Chang Goog.
Further, SorSU delegation also took part in a partnership development meeting with Gyeongsang National University (one of the ten Flagship Korean National Universities in Jinju City, South Korea), headed by Dr. Oh Jae Sin (Vice President for International Affairs), Dr. Kim Tae Young (Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), Moon Gyu Sik (Director, Department of International & External Cooperation), and Kim Hoe Dong (Manager, International Cooperation), alongside Dagam Farm CEO Kang Chang Goog. The meeting highlighted a potential partnership through an MOU focused on student exchange programs, student internship/OJT, faculty research collaboration, and foreign language programs emphasizing agriculture.
Likewise, an academic meeting with the Korean Agency of Education Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS) was conducted, involving Dr. Lee Jong Soon (President), Jung So Young (Director, International Agriculture Division), and Park Joong Sik (Director, Professional HR Division). EPIS, located in Sejong City, is a public institute under the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which seeks to improve Korean agriculture’s competitiveness and foster rural growth. Similarly, SorSU also engaged in another dialogue with the Gyeongsangnamdo Office of Education – Science Education Institute (GNSE) on a possible partnership through an MOU regarding student internship and faculty development programs. As a token of appreciation, the institutions and centers visited received The Bloom Publication, a magazine of SorSU-Castilla Campus.
Moreover, the SorSU team also visited several notable sites, such as Gyeongsangnamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services – Agricultural Museum and Agricultural Technology Education Center (ATEC), a high-tech joint training center recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Jinju City. They also explored the Rural Development Administration (RDA) facilities, including the Agricultural Science Museum and National Institute of Agricultural Science, where they partook in an organic farm tour and visited laboratories like the Soil Microbial Analysis & ICP-OES Analysis labs in Wanju City. Additionally, the team toured the National Institute of Fisheries Science – Fisheries Science Museum in Busan City and the Persimmon Theme Park in Changwon City. The five-day educational trip of SorSU delegates culminated with cultural tours in the Cities of Changwon, Busan, and Gimhae, immersing them in the rich culture and heritage of South Korea.
The SorSU community extends its profound appreciation to the officials and personnel of the aforementioned institutions and centers for the gracious reception of the University delegates during their five-day academic undertaking. Special thanks to Dagam Farm, headed by Mr. Kang Chang Goog (CEO, Dagam Farm) and Engr. Annelin Paming (Consultant, Dagam Farm), for the warm welcome, exceptional hospitality, and invaluable assistance throughout the visit. (SorSU PIO & SorSU-IRO CC)
Photo credits: SorSU Delegation
