By Mikee Natinga Norico
Representatives from ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ ARUGA and the Scanlynx startup gather for a commemorative group photo with Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President; Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension; and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ unit heads and staff following the successful MOU signings.
On December 5, 2025, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ (̽»¨¾«Ñ¡) formalized new collaborations with local organizations through two significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signings held at the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡GAD TBI Working Space.
The first MoU was signed between ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ and the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Agriculture Resources Urban Gardening and Multiplier Farms Association (̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ ARUGA), establishing a three-year collaboration. Representing ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ ARUGA, the agreement was signed by Alexis M. Arsenal, Association President, while Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President, signed on behalf of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡. The signing was witnessed by Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, and Angel A. Supertan Jr., Association Chief Operating Officer.
This partnership is part of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension’s (OVPRDE) The CANOPY Initiative. CANOPY stands for Cultivating Alliances and Nurturing Opportunities for Purposeful Yields and represents a transformative initiative reflecting ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s commitment to fostering collaborative, sustainable, and inclusive partnerships with communities and other sectors being served.
Under the agreement, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ will provide faculty resource speakers, facilitate participation of students and staff in ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ ARUGA activities, and extend technical support and expertise. ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ ARUGA, in turn, will share resources and expertise for program implementation, coordinate with university units and other groups for events, and support the adoption or pilot testing of research and extension outputs at its facilities. Both parties have also agreed to allow the use of each other’s logos in promotional materials to highlight the collaboration.
Following this, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ formalized its partnership with the Scanlynx startup. The agreement was signed by the Scanlynx team—Fredric Mitch P. Biso, Jay Kim B. Estrella, Ike J. Angot, and Emman Rey B. Saquibal—alongside Rev. Dr. Dagohoy representing the University.
The primary purpose of this collaboration is the development and deployment of TRACE MApp, a comprehensive Excel-based application tailored to ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s needs for digital tracking and monitoring of outputs. The partnership’s objectives include designing a user-friendly Excel application customized to ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s operational requirements, integrating existing data seamlessly into the system, ensuring successful deployment, stabilization, and handover within the agreed timeline, and conducting comprehensive training for ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ personnel on the proper use and maintenance of the application.
Through these MoUs, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ continues to strengthen its commitment to fostering community partnerships and embracing technological innovations that enhance research, extension programs, and operational efficiency.