Benguet State University (BSU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) and the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province, Inc. (UPPBMPI) at the Research and Extension Everlasting Hall on April 8, 2025.

GBF was represented by its Community Education Manager, Karla Ngitngit and UPPBMPI was represented by its Chairman, Basilio M. Copas.

VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres thanked the GBF and the UPPBMPI for the partnership saying that it will not only advocate the relevance of research but will also have a positive impact to the community.

Lumbres added that the partnership is an opportunity for Benguet State University to extend its expertise from conducting research for more than a decade. He emphasized that at the end of the day, the beneficiaries of research are the communities.

The MOA outlines a collaborative effort between BSU, GBF, and UPPBMPI to undertake the research, development and extension activities for the STEM Agri Community Project: Potato Advanced Technologies for Transfer and Adoption Towards Transformation and Agri-perineurial Sustainability (PATTATTAS).

In the agreement, GBF shall provide financial and technical support and coordination with BSU and UPPMPBI for the planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of the project while the university will provide educational training for UPPBMPI farmers, conduct soil testing, evaluate land conditions, assist in farmer leader selection, document the processes and management practices, and serve as additional manpower.

UPPBMPI will lead on developing and enacting the community agreements and operations manual, identify capable farmer leaders and suitable farming sites, and provide data the project requires while assisting in monitoring, data gathering, and documentation of project activities.

GBF is a non-stock, non-profit education institution engaged in various education programs and charitable efforts and activities that support STEM-related research and community development projects. UPPBMPI is also a non-stock corporation of farmers which aims to develop the potato industry by encouraging the participation of potato farmers in promoting wholesome community life through continuous education and training programs.//EBawang