Sorsogon State University (SorSU) continues to strengthen its international partnerships and academic leadership in marine science through the successful hosting of the International Dialogue on Phycology, held on June 2, 2025, at the SorSU Audio-Visual Hall, Sorsogon City Campus.
Spearheaded by the SorSU International Relations Office (IRO), in partnership with the Research, Extension, and Training (RET), the event focused on the theme “International Collaboration on Global Innovation for Ocean and Environmental Synergy: Uniting Science, Sustainability, and Seaweed.” The dialogue convened scientists and researchers from South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and Florida, USA, to share their work and strengthen international cooperation in phycology.
The program began with an audiovisual presentation on SorSU’s ongoing internationalization journey, followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Ana Christina G. Fortes (Director, Extension and Training). Main lectures were preceded by musical and dance performances from Instrumentos de Cordo and the Dance Theater and Cultural Group (DTCG), respectively.
International experts, including Dr. Myung Sook Kim (Research Institute of Basic Sciences Department of Biology, Jeju National University, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Korea), Dr. Mariana C. Oliveira (Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil), Dr. Ileana Ortegon-Aznar (Departamento de Botanica Campus de Ciencias Biologicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan Merida, Yucatan, Mexico), and Dr. Ligia Collado-Vides (Department of Biological Sciences Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA), delivered lectures on seaweed research and its relevance to environmental sustainability.
The exchange of ideas during the open forum, moderated by Dr. Richard V. Dumilag (Director, Herbarium Sorsogonense Research Center), promoted academic dialogue that crosses borders. Certificates of Recognition were presented to the international lecturers by Dr. Ryan V. Dio (VP for Research, Extension and Training), Dr. Vivien L. Chua (Director, IRO), and Dr. Dumilag. The program concluded with closing remarks delivered by Dr. Chua. (SorSU PIO)
