The Memorandum of Understanding formally binds Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), represented by University President Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, and the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), represented by its President, Edward C. Du, in a signing ceremony held at the University Boardroom today, March 18, 2026.

NORSU, through the Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM) under the Research, Development, and Extension Office, will collaborate with NOCCI in the following areas:

• Sharing of resources
• Collaborative events such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and networking events
• Commercialization initiatives, such as technology transfer that connects industry and academe, enabling the commercialization of innovative technologies
• Monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the collaboration

University President Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi expressed optimism that this collaboration will help the University fulfill its mandate of transforming research into extension projects and ensuring that innovations are extended to the community. Moreover, NOCCI President Edward C. Du described the signing ceremony as a historic milestone where academe and industry will work together to support the economy.

IPTBM Project Leader Dr. Johann Heinrich Malongo stated in his message that the MOU represents a convergence of science and enterprise, creating a dynamic ecosystem where research meets real-world application, enabling small and medium enterprises and other food producers to compete in the global market.

Other attendees from NORSU included Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Edwin Romano, Jr., Ethics Committee Chair Geraldine Quiñones, and staff.

From NOCCI: Engr. Gregorio Uymatiao, Vice President for Finance; Engr. Gilbert Uymatiao; Atty. Alejandro Florian Alcantara; and Mr. Juan Augustine Jalandoni.