Mpumalanga, South Africa – Palawan State University (PalawanSU) took a significant step in advancing international collaboration by participating in the Africa-Asia Roundtable Discussion held on February 12-13, 2025, at the Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre, University of Mpumalanga. This high-level event brought together university leaders and experts to discuss policy advocacy for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship collaborations between African and Asian institutions.
On the first day, PalawanSU formally signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the University Incubator Consortium (UNIIC), a pioneering initiative uniting 25 universities from 11 countries across Asia and Africa. This strategic alliance aims to strengthen university-led incubators, foster knowledge exchange, and promote cross-regional partnerships in technology and entrepreneurship.
In the afternoon, Dr. Marjorie A. Española, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension at PalawanSU, chaired discussions on policy frameworks that support institutional collaboration and innovation-driven growth.
On the second day, PalawanSU President Dr. Ramon M. Docto joined a distinguished panel on “Avenues for Sharing Scientific Advancements and Technology Development.” He shared insights alongside Prof. Nndanduleni Nnthambeleni, Vice-Chancellor & Principal of the University of Venda, and Prof. Chuks Iwu, SBD Chair in Higher Education at the University of the Western Cape. The discussion highlighted the critical role of universities in driving scientific progress, fostering innovation ecosystems, and facilitating technology transfer across regions.
PalawanSU’s active engagement in this dialogue reinforces its commitment to global academic and entrepreneurial collaboration, positioning the university as a key player in research excellence and international innovation initiatives.
SDG: 4, 9, and 17