CALBAYOG CITY, Samar — Looking beyond institutional borders, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Marinduque State University (MarSU) and the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking explored shared pathways in research, innovation, extension, and futures thinking during a three-day exploratory and benchmarking visit on October 5–7, 2026.
The visit brought together the higher education institutions to exchange practices and explore areas for institutional collaboration, particularly in research, innovation, extension, futures thinking, and strategic foresight. The engagement was also designed to provide opportunities for technical presentations, roundtable discussions, and benchmarking of institutional programs and initiatives.
The three-day activity began with a courtesy visit to the Calbayog City Mayor on October 5. On the second day, the MarSU delegation, led by Ms. Lenie P. Zulueta, Executive Assistant III of MarSU, together with Mr. Emmanuel R. De Guia, Resident Futurist and representative of the Philippine Futures Thinking Society and Senator Pia S. Cayetano, proceeded to NwSSU for a courtesy visit with University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, and key University officials.
The program featured presentations on NwSSU’s research, innovation, and extension programs, as well as its planning, futures thinking, and strategic foresight initiatives. The latter was presented by Dr. Jonah L. Salcedo, Head of the Planning Office and Director for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight.
Discussions then moved toward a roundtable on areas of mutual interest and collaboration, allowing the participating institutions to identify opportunities for joint initiatives and knowledge exchange. This was followed by the drafting of terms for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and its ceremonial signing, formalizing the institutions’ intent to pursue collaboration in identified areas.
The second day also included a campus tour and site visits at the NwSSU Main Campus, giving the visiting delegation an opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the University’s facilities, programs, and institutional operations.
On the final day, October 7, the delegation proceeded to the NwSSU San Jorge Campus for a site visit before concluding the activity with a send-off.
The exploratory visit strengthens opportunities for inter-institutional exchange and sets the groundwork for future partnerships between NwSSU and MarSU in advancing research, innovation, extension, and futures-oriented institutional development.