By Office of Communication and Public Affairs
17 March 2026 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Eastern Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (EVCIEERD), Philippines, on 16 March 2026, to strengthen academic and institutional collaboration in research, capacity building, and innovation.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between AIT and EVCIEERD member institutions in professional capacity-building partnership programs, joint research, training, experiential exchanges, and research visits, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting sustainable regional development through academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Under the MoU, AIT and EVCIEERD will collaborate in several areas, including industry, energy, and emerging technology research and development to help bridge the gap in the utilization and commercialization of research results, while strengthening self-reliance in research management and capacity building. The partnership will also support the development and implementation of capacity-building Master’s and PhD programs, short courses, training programs, workshops, and other learning activities, as well as joint conferences, seminars, and other mutually agreed initiatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to regional development through joint research, academic exchange, and capacity building, and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to deepen collaboration with the consortium.
Dr. Dennis C. De Paz, Chair of the Board of Directors of EVCIEERD and President of Eastern Visayas State University, expressed confidence that the partnership would lead to meaningful outcomes under the MoU. He noted that with 15 member institutions in the consortium, the agreement marks a promising beginning, and added that the consortium is excited to begin collaborative activities with AIT in the coming months.
EVCIEERD is a regional consortium in Eastern Visayas, Philippines, committed to advancing sustainable development through research, development, and innovation in industry, energy, and emerging technologies.
The visiting delegation included Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, President, Visayas State University; Dr. Danilo B. Pulma, Consortium Director, EVCIEERD and Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension Services, Eastern Visayas State University; Dr. Ramil T. Uy, Provincial Director, PSTO – Southern Leyte; Dr. Jonas P. Villas, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension, Leyte Normal University; Dr. Felisa E. Gomba, Vice President for Research and Extension Services, Samar State University; Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension Services, Southern Leyte State University; Dr. Roel I. Sabang, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension Services, Palompon Institute of Technology; Dr. Roland A. Niez, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension Services, Biliran Province State University; Dr. Karina Milagros C. Lim, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, University of Eastern Philippines; Dr. Marilyn O. Radam, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations, Department of Science and Technology VIII; Dr. Analyn C. Españo, Vice President for Student, Internationalization and External Affairs, Eastern Visayas State University; Dr. Sherrie Ann C. Labid, Executive Director for Research, Samar State University; Dr. Pearl Irish Velicaria, Director for Research, Biliran Province State University; Dr. Rogelio A. Banagbanag, Director for Research, University of Eastern Philippines; Atty. Divina Patty B. Sibay, Legal Officer IV, Leyte Normal University; Dr. Ivy C. Emnace, Director for Research, Visayas State University; Mr. Leo A. Omamalin, Director, University Planning and Development, Southern Leyte State University; Mr. Ariel R. Lomot, Instructor I, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority VIII; and Ms. Charlesse Anne Bastes, Instructor I, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority VIII.
From AIT, the signing was attended by Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development; Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director, AIT Extension; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director, Office of International Affairs; Dr. Zakir Hossain, Program Director / Senior Program Specialist, AIT Extension; Dr. Indra Kumari, Coordinator, Office of International Affairs along with other AIT officials.
The signing ceremony was held during the EVCIEERD delegation’s visit to AIT, which also included participation in the one-week training program, “International Collaboration and Regional Exposure Visit to Thailand on Smart Cities and Sustainable Communities,” organized by AIT Extension from 15–21 March 2026.
