Boac, Marinduque, Philippines — The first day of the 2025 International Conference on Science, Technology, and AI Applications (ICSTAA) culminated in a night of culture, camaraderie, and commitment. The Fellowship Night, held at the MarSU Gymnasium, was not just a celebration of academic exchange but a historic moment where institutions came together to shape the future of education and collaboration.
The evening opened with a warm and inspiring welcome from Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta, University President of Marinduque State University (MarSU). Delegates from various local and international institutions were greeted with the Putong, a colorful and heartfelt Marinduque tradition symbolizing honor, respect, and joy. This cultural touch set the tone for a night dedicated to unity and shared purpose.
But the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony—a powerful embodiment of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
A Collective Commitment
The first signing brought together all guest institutions in a multi-institutional partnership:
- Marinduque State University (MarSU)
- Saigon Business School (SBS), Vietnam
- De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D)
- Siquijor State College (SSC)
- Cebu Technological University (CTU)
- Palawan State University (PalSU)
- Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST)
This collective pact symbolizes a shared pledge to strengthen academic and research collaboration, transcending geographical boundaries and institutional walls.
Following the collective signing, bilateral partnerships were formalized. True to its role as a bridge for partnerships, MarSU took center stage, sealing collaborations with:
- SPAMAST
- SSC
- PalSU
Beyond these, MarSU acted as the connector through SBS, facilitating partnerships between:
- SBS and DLSU-D
- SBS and SSC
- SBS and PalSU
Other meaningful bilateral agreements included collaborations between SPAMAST and DLSU-D, SPAMAST and CTU, and SPAMAST and SSC.
The signing of these MOUs is more than a ceremonial gesture—it is a monumental step toward advancing Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By fostering networks of knowledge-sharing, joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and regional cooperation, MarSU demonstrates how a higher education institution in an island province can serve as a powerful catalyst for global collaboration.
In living up to its tagline—“From the Heart to the World”—MarSU proves that meaningful partnerships can begin in the heart of Marinduque and ripple outward, connecting communities, cultures, and institutions across the globe.
As the night ended with music, laughter, and friendship, one thing became clear: MarSU has positioned itself as a vital bridge—linking institutions, cultures, and aspirations—in pursuit of a shared vision for quality education (SDG 4) and strong partnerships (SDG 17).
MarSU extends its deepest gratitude to its visionary leader, Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta, whose steadfast support for internationalization initiatives continues to open doors for the university to grow as a global academic hub. His leadership ensures that MarSU’s voice resonates far beyond Marinduque—strengthening its place as a bridge for global partnerships.
(MarSU IRLO)
#EmpoweringMindsTransformingLives #SDG4QualityEducation #SDG17PartnershipforGoals
#fromthehearttotheworld
#ICSTAA2025
