The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and the University of San Carlos (USC) renewed their strategic partnership yesterday, June 22, 2023, through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
RAFI President and Chief Executive Officer Amaya Cristina Aboitiz-Fansler signed the MOU on behalf of the Cebu-based foundation while University President Fr. Narciso A. Cellan Jr., SVD, D.Comm. signed on behalf of USC.
The signing marks the commitment of both RAFI and USC to engage in a strategic partnership in converging priority areas where RAFI as a change agent can maximize its social impact and community transformation. RAFI’s role as a change agent is embodied in their vision, “Touching People, Shaping the Future,” and mission, which is “upholding the dignity of man by working with communities to elevate their well-being.”
As a learning and research institution, USC will conduct actionable research projects that lead to evidence-based initiatives and recommendations especially in areas aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and RAFI’s physical, social, and economic well-being clusters.
Signing as witnesses to the MOU were RAFI Chief Operating Officer Riella Mae Christa Guioguio and USC Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Atty. Joan S. Largo, Ll.M.Representatives of various RAFI units attended the signing ceremony (see photo below), including Marie Sol Gonzalvo (Executive Director for Social Well-Being Cluster), Christian Anuta (Measurement Analysis and Knowledge Management Director), Anthony Terence Ocampo (Stakeholder Engagement Head), Jade Ryan Gadiane (IT Director), Elisabeth Baumgart (Communications Manager), Paul Andrew Gutib (Cloud Operations Manager), Richard de Los Reyes (Stakeholder Management Officer of Social Well-Being Cluster), and Julieme Tabanas (Stakeholder Engagement and Volunteer Management Officer).
Also in attendance were heads of several USC research centers (see photo below) including Zona Hildegarde S. Amper, Ph.D. (Center for Social Research and Education), Danilo B. Largo, Ph.D. (Marine Biology Section), Lorafe Lozano, D.Eng. (Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies), Roland Emerito S. Otadoy, Ph.D. (Center for Geoinformatics and Environmental Solutions), and Ar. Vangie Cheryl Ulila, M.S. (Conservation of Heritage and Research Institute for Society and its History), as well as USC Tuklas Lunas Development Center program leader and Research, Development, Extension, and Publications Office Director Patrick John Y. Lim, Ph.D. and Office of Naming Rights, Endowment, and Scholarships Assistant Director Elizabeth M. Remedio, Ph.D.
