Ambassador Sung Y. Kim stresses  the importance of partnership and cooperation for development in his speech.

The Ambassador of the United States to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and the officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) met with partners for implementation of the five-year USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project at Richmonde Hotel, Iloilo City on April 19, 2018.

Project SURGE aims to foster the development of conditions for broad‐based, inclusive and resilient economic growth in secondary cities.

The partnership and support on research and development activities of higher learning institutions was also recognized as vital component in the program. Among the partner institutions of USAID in Iloilo City are ISAT U, University of the Philippines in the Visayas , University of San Agustin and Central Philippine University.

Ms. Narzalina Z. Lim, former Secretary of the Department of Tourism acknowledged the role of USAID-STRIDE in enabling Iloilo to harness its advantage in the area of research and development through the universities. She also affirmed a strong partnership of the USAID and the local higher education institutions through funded projects. Caffeination, co-organized by ISAT U and Iloilo Business Club with Research Triangle Institute, Inc. was also observed as an incubator of ideas for development. It is a once a month one-hour meeting of industry and academe to discuss research applications in various industries.

The ISAT U’s Research Hub was also mentioned and highlighted the active involvement of the academe in research and development. It will house the agency’s equipment, technology, laboratories and become the center of USAID-funded projects in Iloilo City

Amb. Kim acknowledges the appreciation expressed by Dr. Muyong for supporting ISAT U’s research endeavors.

As one of the invited guests, Dr. Raul F. Muyong grabbed the opportunity to express his appreciation to the support extended by USAID-STRIDE to ISAT U’s research projects. USAID-STRIDE granted a total of 19 million pesos financial support to four research projects since Dr. Muyong started as university president in May 2015.

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