Ceremonial MOA Signing Marks Collaborative Milestone for MABIDA Project
Written by Reisha Claffel Z. Ferraren
Uploaded on Feb. 24, 2023
Davao City, Philippines - On February 24, 2023, a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between several partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and UP Mindanao, representing the Applied Biodiversity Research for the Holistic Advancements in Mindanao (ABRAHAM) MABIDA Project, also known as the Information System for Marine Fishery Morphology and DNA Sequence in Mindanao, took place at the UP Mindanao Center for Advancement of Research in Mindanao. The event, which coincided with the "Our Daily Fish: Kapehan Talks on Reef Fish Diversity & Book Launching of the Data Collection and Analysis for Reef Fish Biology," aimed to strengthen the educational and scientific cooperation among the involved parties and establish a solid foundation for collaborative efforts in marine conservation and research.
The in-person event brought together renowned speakers, officials from partner HEIs, and honorable personalities in marine conservation and research. Dr. Kent Carpenter of Old Dominion University, Dr. Cleto L. Nañola, Jr. of UP Mindanao, Dr. Richard Muallil of Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi, and Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute were among the notable speakers.
The executed MOAs cemented the cooperation between UP Mindanao, which represented the ABRAHAM Program Projects FishDive and MABIDA, and the partner HEIs. The MOA, more specifically named as Supplemental MOA for Educational and Scientific Cooperation, specified the duties, responsibilities, effectivity and duration, technicalities, and expectations of all parties involved, guaranteeing a coherent and collaborative relationship.
Representatives from numerous HEIs were present, both virtually and in person, for the signing of the MOAs. Partner HEIs were MSU General Santos City, Davao Oriental State University, Davao del Norte State College, Southern Philippines Agri-business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology, MSU Sulu, MSU Tawi-Tawi, and Jose Rizal Memorial State University. The combined effort and dedication of these institutions will promote knowledge sharing, joint research projects, and capacity-building activities, thus ultimately developing a more comprehensive understanding of reef fish biology and conservation in Mindanao.
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JRMSU and UP IMBIBE Laboratory Explore MABIDA’s Cutting-Edge Marine Research Tools
On October 23, 2024, participants from Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) and the UP Interactions of Marine Bionts and Benthic Ecosystems Laboratory (IMBIBE Laboratory) of the UP Marine Science Institute visited the MABIDA Project. Following a three-day DNA barcoding training organized by the Coral Reef Resiliency and Ecology Studies Laboratory, the group explored MABIDA’s advanced 3D scanning and printing equipment, gaining insights into our cutting-edge methods for marine biodiversity research. Both groups expressed keen interest in contributing to the MABIDA website to enhance our collective impact. MABIDA looks forward to expanding data contributions through its active and committed collaborators, driving research and innovation forward!
