Boac, Marinduque, Philippines — Marinduque State University (MarSU) further strengthened its international presence as it formally entered into a partnership with Institut Teknologi Nasional Yogyakarta (ITNY), Indonesia, through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 30, 2026, at the University Lounge.

Facilitated by the International Relations and Linkages Office (IRLO), the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in instruction, research, extension, faculty and student mobility, technology exchange, and joint academic activities, reinforcing MarSU’s strategic direction toward internationalization and sustainable development.

The MOU was signed by MarSU President Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta and ITNY President Dr. Ir. Setyo Pambudi, M.T., with Ms. Jholey Rose R. Leaño-Lancion, Director for International Relations and Linkages and Ms. Maria Joan C. Ocampo, Head of MarSU’s Foreign Mobility Programs, and Mr. Agustinus Yunastiawan, Head of Collaboration of ITNY, serving as witnesses. Academic leaders present included Assoc. Prof. Mario T. Mascareñas, Dean of the College of Industrial Technology; Dr. Evangeline Mandia, Research Director and Dean of the College of Environmental Studies; and Engr. Melito Hirondo, Dean of the College of Engineering.

While the MOU marks a formal milestone, the partnership between MarSU and ITNY had already taken shape prior to the signing. In 2025, MarSU co-organized ITNY’s international conference, CONSER 2025, where Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta served as one of the keynote speakers. This early collaboration laid the groundwork for academic exchange, research dialogue, and institutional trust that culminated in the present agreement.

The signing ceremony opened with preliminaries led by Mr. Joseph Erwin G. Silangil, CIT International Relations Office Coordinator, and the playing of the Philippine and Indonesian national anthems, symbolizing mutual respect and shared commitment between the two institutions.

In his message, Prof. Dr. Zulueta emphasized that partnerships like MarSU–ITNY expand learning beyond borders, enabling students and faculty to engage with global perspectives while addressing local development needs. Meanwhile, Dr. Ir. Setyo Pambudi highlighted the importance of academic cooperation in Southeast Asia in responding to technological and sustainability challenges.

Through the MarSU–ITNY partnership, both institutions aim to pursue joint research, collaborative instruction, exchange programs, and community-based initiatives that connect innovation with social responsibility.

As facilitated by IRLO, the MOU reflects MarSU’s continuing efforts to build sustainable, working partnerships that go beyond ceremonial ties—transforming collaboration into long-term academic and development engagement.