By Office of Communications and Public Affairs
12 March 2026 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 March 2026, to establish a strategic partnership in academic cooperation, research, professional development, consultancy services, and other related activities in the fields of agriculture and fisheries.
The MoU was signed during the visit of a high-level Philippine delegation led by H.E. Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., Secretary of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines, to AIT.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration between AIT and DA across several areas. These include the development and implementation of capacity-building PhD and Master’s partnership programs for DA staff to study at AIT, professional development training programs, joint consultancy services, collaboration on research activities and publications, and other potential projects of mutual interest.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT, said the agreement builds on earlier engagements and marks an important step in strengthening ties between AIT and the Philippines. “H.E. Francisco’s visit to AIT last year laid a strong foundation for this partnership. This MoU reflects our shared commitment to capacity building, innovation, and practical solutions to support agriculture, food security, and climate resilience in the Philippines and the region,” he said.
“We are proud to strengthen this long-standing bond and look forward to working together to support food security and technological progress in the Philippines and beyond,” he added.
In his remarks, H.E. Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., highlighted the importance of the partnership in addressing evolving challenges in the agricultural sector. “This partnership comes at an important time as the agricultural sector faces growing challenges, including climate variability, resource constraints, pest and disease pressures, and the need to strengthen food security. By working together, we can advance innovation, develop human capital, and support practical solutions that benefit farmers, policymakers, and communities. Through this collaboration, we affirm our belief in the power of collective expertise and partnerships to drive meaningful and lasting impact,” he said.
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss Thailand’s agricultural practices and explore further avenues of collaboration between the two countries to support agricultural development.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Gabriel C. Lapid, Executive Assistant, Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture; Ms. Annalyn L. Lopez-Jamora, Agriculture Attaché; and Ms. Parichat Manait, Agriculture Assistant from the Philippine Agriculture Office, Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Also present were representatives from Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), including Mr. Joseph Rudolph C. Lo, President and CEO; Mr. Edoard B. Medalla, Rice Program Manager for Luzon and Mindanao; Ms. Christeen Gae D. Padilla, Project Manager; Mr. John Romil S. Resurrecion, Estate Engineering and Maintenance Officer; Mr. Carlos Ynigo E. Que, Executive Assistant; Mr. Aldrich Luke L. Sy, Market Specialist IV; Ms. Corazon A. Guanzon, Architect V; and Ms. Jewel Basti D. Quiba, Administrative Assistant.
The delegation also included representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines: Ms. Ma. Lynette V. Ortiz, President and Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Eden Japitana, First Vice President; and Atty. Nikkolas Lorenzo Domingo G. Tolentino, First Vice President. From the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Mr. Melquiades A. Robles, General Manager, and Atty. Krystyna Feliciano, Legal Consultant, were in attendance. Mr. Nattakorn Sujipittham, Chief Operating Officer of CPF Philippines, also joined the meeting.
From AIT the signing was attended by Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, Vice President for Academic and Research (VPAR); Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development (VPAD); Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat, Dean, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology (FAST); Prof. Jai Govind Singh, Dean, Faculty of Climate Change and Sustainability (FCCS); Dr. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen, Dean, Faculty of Public Policy and Sustainable Development (FPPSD); Prof. Avishek Datta, Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FFANR); Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director, AIT Extension; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director, Office of International Affairs (OIA); Mr Sanjeet Amatya Director of Office of Communications and Public Affairs and Dr. Indra Kumari, Coordinator, OIA.
