A five-year partnership between Saint Mary’s University (SMU) and Sitio Bimmito in Barangay Nantawakan, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya officially commenced following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the university, the Barangay Local Government Unit, and Nantawakan Elementary School (NES) on July 29.

Establishing Sitio Bimmito and NES as one of SMU’s newest partner community and school sites under the Community Engagement and Indigenous Peoples Studies Center (CEIPSC), the MOU outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the university and its local partners in implementing community engagement programs and extension initiatives over the next five years.

Moreover, the School of Health and Natural Sciences, through its Nursing Department in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), conducted a Learners’ Health Assessment for pupils of Nantawakan Elementary School alongside the ceremony.

The signing was attended by SMU Vice President for Mission and Identity Fr. Philip A. Yu Jr., CICM; CEIPSC Director Dr. Christopher Allen S. Marquez; tertiary community engagement coordinators; residents of Sitio Bimmito, Barangay Nantawakan officials and teachers of NES.

Prior to the signing, university representatives conducted a preliminary visit and consultation with community members and school officials on June 4 to introduce the proposed partnership and discuss the university’s community engagement program. Subsequently, a review of the draft MOU was held on July 2 before the agreement was finalized.

Furthermore, SMU-CEIPSC is set to conduct a community and school needs assessment in the coming months to identify priority concerns that will serve as the basis for future extension initiatives.