USM Undergraduate Students Publish Their Work in Scholarly Journals
June 8, 2023
Two USM Students are Finalists in National Crop Biotech Thesis Competition; Jonah Mae Taping Declared Champion
June 10, 2023
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) joined forces on June 9, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., in a significant effort to strengthen cooperative education and training in the country. The momentous ceremony took place at the President’s Office, where esteemed representatives from both institutions met to formalize their collaboration.
Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia, President of the University of Southern Mindanao, and Engr. Doreen C. Ancheta, Regional Director of the Cooperative Development Authority, signed the Memorandum of Understanding. Dr. Geoffray R. Atok, the USM Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Mary Joy S. Cañolas, the Director of the USM Extension Services Office; Dr. Irving Fajarito, the Dean of the USM College of Business Development, Economics, and Management (CBDEM); and Ms. Juriski B. Mangelen, the CDA Assistant Regional Director, all participated in the signing ceremony.
Under the terms of the MOA, USM is designated as the accredited Cooperative Training Provider (CTPRO). The Cooperative Development Authority acknowledges the pivotal role of USM as a partner in providing Training of Trainers (ToT) to the trainers of accredited CTPROs. This collaboration between USM and CDA aims to enhance the quality of cooperative education and training throughout the country by conducting ToT for trainers of accredited CTPROs and prospective applicants to the CDA accreditation program.
One of the primary objectives outlined in the MOA is the development of a standardized curriculum for the ToT program, which will be implemented across all accredited CTPROs and their prospective trainers. USM, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, will play a crucial role in designing the curriculum, ensuring that it meets the highest educational standards and addresses the evolving needs of cooperative training.
Furthermore, the University of Southern Mindanao has agreed to provide training facilities for the ToT program’s efficient and effective implementation. USM hopes to foster a learning atmosphere by providing top-notch infrastructure and trainers with the tools they need to deliver high-quality cooperative education.
This CDA-USM collaboration represents a significant step forward in developing the cooperative sector in the Philippines. The cooperative education and training landscape is set to see significant gains because of merging USM’s knowledge with CDA’s regulatory insights. The joint efforts of these two prestigious institutions will ensure that trainers from authorized CTPROs receive extensive and standardized training, allowing them to transmit vital knowledge to cooperatives around the country.The Memorandum of Understanding between USM and CDA marks the beginning of a promising partnership based on a common goal of empowering cooperatives through high-quality education and training. As both organizations move further, the Philippines’ cooperative sector can look forward to a brighter, more sustainable future. JMBangoy
