SMU and ISU Forge Partnership to Boost Community Livelihood and Sustainable Development
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA—Saint Mary’s University (SMU) and Isabela State University (ISU) officially launched a new partnership to strengthen their joint commitment to community extension programs and advance sustainable livelihood initiatives. The two universities formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held on December 5, 2025.
The partnership aims to pool the institutions’ resources and expertise to empower local communities through development projects.
SMU President, Dr. John Octavious S. Palina, emphasized the critical role of these partnerships in sustaining community development efforts. Dr. Allen S. Marquez, SMU’s Director for Community Engagement, highlighted the university’s existing work with its adopted barangay on ginger and turmeric powder production.
In support of these initiatives, ISU shared information on its programs, including a dedicated center that assists adopted barangays. This assistance involves technology transfer, funding, and equipment donation, services which ISU plans to extend to more communities through the MOA.
The MOA was officially signed by Dr. John Octavious S. Palina of SMU and Dr. Vivian M. Dumrique of ISU. The first joint activity with SMU’s adopted community, Sitio Gonggongob in Villaverde, is already scheduled for December 13, 2025.
The partnership between SMU and ISU is a direct reflection of SMU’s core values: Excellence, Innovation, and Communion. This strategic alliance, which focuses on community extension and livelihood training like ginger and turmeric powder production, embodies Innovation and the pursuit of Excellence by providing practical, high-impact community solutions. It serves as a powerful expression of Communion and social responsibility, fulfilling the university’s mission to engage with and serve the marginalized.
Furthermore, the program is firmly rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering sustainable income, creating livelihood opportunities, and promoting technology transfer to communities.
SDG 1
SDG 8
SDG 9
Written by: Aryan L. Yuzon, Promotions Coordinator, School of Accountancy and Business
