TUPV signs MOA for research collaborations with BFT

The Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) inked a partnership for research collaborations and other technical engagements with Berpa-Flex Technologies (BFT), which was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held at the University

Employee’s Lounge, June 9.

TUPV representatives, namely: Dr. Eric A. Malo-oy, campus director, and Engr. Ace Zander C. Antonio, OIC Asst. Director for Research and Extension; and BFT representatives, namely: Inesitas L. Palermo, General Manager, and Cherry R. Isobal, Technical Staff, attended the signing ceremony and were all signatories of the MOA.

“The agreement covers technology licensing, specifically turning over the design for commercialization of previously conducted research that aims to produce flour out of sweet potatoes,” Engr. Antonio stated.

TUPV and BFT launched their partnership together with the Potato Systems Research and Training Center (PSRTC) with a technology validation of TUPV technologies for a project collaboration on sweet potato flour and a multicrop grinding machine.

“The university already had a prototype of the said machine; however, it was student-made and the materials used were subpar for possible real-life and

Rutchel Pabalinas, External Affairs Administrative Officer II, expressed that this partnership between the AFS-IPP and TUPV is an avenue that will open doors for qualified students, educators, and staff members to participate in these life-changing opportunities, both locally and globally, particularly the exchange program for an international exposure.

“The school collaborates with organizations like this in the hopes of exposing students, teachers, and staff internationally in terms of seminars, research events, and conferences, and may even give students opportunities for scholarship programs,” she added.

Also present during the MOA signing were Froskhan Abdurahim, Partner Director of AFSIPP; Larry Franco, AFS-IPP Negros Occidental Support Volunteer and Main Coordinator; Grace Tarun, AFS-IPP Administrative Support Staff; Lorene Galon Cabilinga Abuyon, TUPV Head of Student Affairs; and Apraille Dee Josephine Anglo, Adviser of The Philippine Artisan Visayas.

Svea De Valkenaere, from Ghent, Belgium, is the first international exchange student at TUPV, and with her interests in sciences, she was placed in the chemical engineering technology department.

She was able to stay in the TUP Visayas community for four months and will continue her 10-month residency in the Philippines with other AFS-IPP partner institutions.

AFS-IPP is a non-profit educational institution that aims to foster intercultural learning and build a more equitable and peaceful environment for young people and communities through transformative, experiential, and hands-on programs.

Over the course of its more than 60 years of operation, AFS-IPP has successfully administered intercultural learning opportunities to target individuals that possess local and global knowledge, values, and competencies. One of its programs, which reinforces their education goals, is exchanges, where a student can study abroad, apply for an internship, and learn a foreign language.

[industrial] utilization,” Antonio remarked. “Flour is food, therefore we must adhere to food standards, and Berpa-Flex can help us in achieving that.” he Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) conducted a series of activities via the installation of a solarpowered system and a subsequent training workshop for its usage at Brgy. Buenavista Rizal, Pontevedra.

Engr. Antonio also revealed that when there was an opportunity to find an established fabricator of a prototype, they chose BFT due to its capability to fabricate the machine and the finances to back it.

Berpa-Flex, which specializes in civil, marine, and mechanical work, was introduced to TUPV through a series of faculty development training and seminars that the Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines (MIAP) spearheaded and conducted in the previous years.

Dr. Eric Malo-oy, Campus Director, preceded the inauguration of both projects on June 7 and 25, titled “Solar-powered Water Distribution System with Programmable Automated Water Tender Equipment” and “Electrical Trade with Basic Motor Controls and Solar Power Energy Training Workshop,” respectively.

Hon. Jose Maria Alonso, Mayor of the Municipality of Pontevedra, graced both events together with Dr. Malo-oy. Also attending were: Engr. Ace Zander Antonio, OIC Asst. Director for Research and Extension; Engr. Jovel Young, Technology Transfer Manager and Extension Services Head; Dr. Donalyn Lastima, Assistant Professor I and Team Leader of the Project; Rutchel Estaniel Pabalinas, Assistant Officer II and Chairperson of External Affairs; Edgard Gabitoya, Pontevedra Municipal Planning and Development Officer; and the Brgy. Buenavista Rizal Council members.

“The partnership with TUPV in implementing the solarpowered water distribution system with programmable automated water tender equipment has truly been a blessing to our municipality,” Alonso said in an exclusive interview with the Philippine Artisan Visayas (TPAV).

He also stressed that