Five universities in Mindanao signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) for research grants worth P1.3 million.
The signing ceremony was held in Cagayan de Oro City on November 30, 2023.
Participating universities include Capitol University (CU) of Cagayan de Oro City and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City.
The two institution’s collaboration earned a grant of P218,000.
Meanwhile, MSU-IIT received a separate grant amount to P282,250 while CU also received P200,000.
Mindanao State University-Main Campus in Marawi City also received P417,790.
Other recipients include CARAGA State University in Butuan City and University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City which received P115,000 and P73,000 grants respectively.
Mr. Laurence Amores, Section Head of CBNC Community Relations Office, said this academe-private sector partnership is part of CBNC’s thrust to take part in the Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences (DMTG) to help sustain and enhance the responsible mineral resource development practices in the country.
“We would like to know the thoughts and ideas of the academic sector through research work that contribute to the improvement of the mineral industry,” he said.
Coined as the CBNC-DMTG Mineral Research Program, the research grant is open for public and private universities and colleges, government agencies, research institutes, and non-profit organizations existing in the Philippines.
Eligible academic works are basic and applied research or advanced studies on mining technology, geosciences, and related subjects such as, but not limited to, socioeconomics related to mining operations, environmental protection, mineral economics, among others, in accordance to the DENR DAO 2010-12 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippines Mining Act of 1995. (PR)
