The University of San Carlos signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a research collaboration with Aboitiz Power Inc. and Therma Visayas Inc. on May 31, 2022 at the USC Downtown Campus. 

The MOA documents were signed by University President Fr. Narciso A. Cellan Jr., SVD, Engr. Rod Jaucian (Assistant Vice President for Operations Technology, Aboitiz Power), and Engr. Rechimer Daitol (Operations Manager, Therma Visayas). Also signing as witness to the agreement was Dr. Rosana J. Ferolin, Dean of the USC School of Engineering.

The research collaboration will focus on providing opportunities to USC faculty and students to look for innovative solutions to Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) power plant operations. This will further shape them to become prime movers and future leaders in the industry who will be able to solve problems related to coal-fired power plant availability, reliability, and environmental management.

In his short message, Engr. Daitol thanked the School of Engineering for accepting the challenge to solve problems in the energy sector with the hope for a long term partnership with the University for future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Fr. Cellan also expressed his thoughts about the project. “From the point of view of the University, this kind of partnership and collaboration is very important for us. This gives us a validation, not only of the significance of the program that we’re doing, but also of the trust that you have given to us that we’re capable of delivering,” he shared.

He also added that USC is heavily planning on intensifying research initiatives in different programs from the different schools of the University. He also thanked Aboitiz Power and Therma Visayas for the opportunity of forging this partnership.

Present during the MOA signing event were representatives from Aboitiz Power and Therma Visayas including the alumni from the School of Engineering, namely Engr. Sherwin Abundo, Engr. Rex Sienes, and Engr. Joshua Ducao, who are now working with Therma Visayas Inc.

Also present were the USC Research Team who will be mainly involved in the research collaboration: Dr. Lorafe Lozano (Director, Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies), Dr. Michael Loretero (Chair, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, DMME), DMME faculty members Dr. Virgilio Abellana and Engr. Stephen Tao, and Dr. Philip Virgil Astillo (Department of Computer Engineering).

with reporting by Engr. Christopher James M. Labrador