SU ties up with Asian institutions in marine bio consortium. Three Indonesians are expected to arrive on campus this June to enrol in the master’s degree and the doctoral degree in Marine Sciences here as a result of a consortium agreement signed by Silliman University with the Sam Ratulangi University and the Artha Wacana University in Indonesia and the Madras Christian College in India.

The consortium agreement was signed by Dr. Pulido last December.

This was announced by Silliman President Agustin Pulido after his visit to Sam Ratulangi University in Manado, Indonesia, Feb. 20-21.

Dr. Pulido said that he met with the heads of the three other institutions at Manado, during the International Seminar on Tropical Marine Resources Management and Biodiversity there.

The President was accompanied by Dr. Angel C. Alcala, Director for Research, and Dr. Janet Estacion, Assistant Director of the SU Marine Laboratory. Alcala and Estacion read scientific papers on marine biology at the seminar.

The four institutions have agreed to work together to develop their faculty in marine science, share materials and laboratory facilities, collaborate in designing and offering a curriculum in marine biology and coastal resource management, doing research and faculty and student exchange.

In his message at the seminar, Dr. Pulido said, “Advances in technology and population pressures have put marine resources and biodiversity at risk. To maintain these resources, and protect biodiversity will require wise management. But this can come only with imaginative and solid research.”

Dr. Pulido said he believes that the consortium of the four institutions in three countries would have a strong impact in the region.

Dr. Alcala said establishing this consortium means getting support from the outside for more research in Dumaguete City and Silliman University.

He also said the collaborative work will focus on common resources. “The results of the studies will be applied for the protection and management of fisheries and marine biodiversity, particularly in Sulu Sea and Sulawesi.”

The consortium is being supported by the United Board for Christian Higher Education, with the administrative efforts of Dr. Betty C. Abregana, former Acting SU President who is now with UBCHEA. (Jose Jello Cubelo and Mary Antonette Magenta Villegas)