With eyes set on new academic frontiers and deeper academic synergy,  Biliran Province State University formally inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Normal University (PNU) on April 15, 2025, at the BiPSU HAVC.

BiPSU President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. signed the MOU with PNU President Dr. Bert J. Tuga.

The understanding centered on entering into a formal partnership agreement based on the foundation of mutual trust for the mutual benefit and development of the two institutions and the promotion of international understanding and goodwill. 

It covers potential collaborations in student, faculty, and researcher exchange programs, joint research initiatives, curriculum development, capacity building, the exchange of academic publications, and co-hosting of international research conferences. Furthermore, the partnership supports both institutions’ commitment to internationalization and excellence in education.

In his message during the signing ceremony, Dr. Cañezo emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership. “This partnership signifies our shared commitment to nurturing future-ready educators and researchers, and creating a ripple effect of academic excellence not just in our institutions but across the nation,” he said.

Dr. Cañezo also expressed BiPSU’s gratitude to PNU for its openness to collaboration. “We are truly honored to be in partnership with PNU—the country’s National Center for Teacher Education,” he added. “More than a document, this MOU is a symbol of trust and shared vision.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Tuga clarified that while the MOU contains general provisions, specific agreements will be drawn up in the future based on identified programs and needs. “We could pull possible arrangements that we may have based on the identified needs of both institutions,” he said.

He also highlighted the collaborative and reciprocal nature of the partnership. “There are things that are already done at BiPSU, and it's not yet done at PNU,” Dr. Tuga added. “There are things we can share with you, and there are things that you can share with us in terms of institutional practices.”

Following the ceremonial signing, a consultation meeting was held where the two university presidents exchanged best practices. Dr. Tuga shared some of PNU’s institutional strategies, including a strengthened faculty development program, comprehensive curriculum alignment, and a “selective” student admission process. 

In response, Dr. Cañezo introduced BiPSU’s newly launched Electronic Human Resource Management and Information System (eHRMIS), an integrated system that streamlines HR processes—an initiative Dr. Tuga expressed interest in benchmarking.

The event was also witnessed by PNU Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Lordinio Vergara, along with BiPSU Vice Presidents Dr. Susan S. Bentor, Dr. Roland A. Niez, Dr. Vivencio Pelesco, Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Faculty Regent Hon. Vennie Coton and the deans of the School of Teacher Education from the two campuses’ Dr. Maribel Zipagan and Dr.  Naneta Panit. 

PNU, a public coeducational teacher education and research university established in 1901, was designated as the National Center for Teacher Education through Republic Act No. 9647 in 2009. The institution is widely recognized for its leadership in shaping teacher education standards in the Philippines.

A delegation from PNU, led by Dr. Tuga and Dr. Vergara, is currently at BiPSU as part of a team teaching program aimed at strengthening the newly formed collaboration. The visiting team also includes distinguished professors Dr. Celia Ilanan, Dr. Brando Palomar, Dr. Marivilla Lydia Aggarao, and Dr. Voltaire Villanueva, who will be engaging with BiPSU faculty and students through lectures and academic consultations.

[This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education.]