The University of Northern Philippines and Books Atbp Publishing Corp. formalized a landmark collaboration on April 29, 2026 through a Memorandum of Agreement, paving the way for the publication and distribution of instructional manuals designed to strengthen teaching resources and broaden access to quality learning materials.
Spearheading the milestone were UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna and Mrs. Elizabeth Gutierrez, President of Books Atbp Publishing Corp., whose partnership formalized a strategic convergence of academe and industry. The collaboration harnesses UNP’s academic strength along with the publisher’s technical expertise, advancing the university’s mandate under the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997 to enhance the production, quality, and accessibility of instructional materials.
For Dr. Cadorna, the partnership emphasizes the University of Northern Philippines’ firm commitment to advance scholarly output by turning faculty and researchers’ work into published instructional materials that directly support teaching and learning. Under his leadership, UNP continues to strengthen its publishing culture, ensuring that academic programs and extension initiatives are not only implemented on the ground but also formally documented and disseminated for wider academic use.
Mrs. Gutierrez emphasized the publisher’s crucial role in providing the technical backbone of the collaboration—from professional editing and layout to high-quality printing and nationwide distribution. She noted that this synergy bridges academic content with industry-standard publishing processes, ensuring that instructional manuals are not only rigorously developed but also accessible to a broader student population.
The signing was witnessed by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rolando Navarro and Lanie Banquerigo, Sales Representative for Books Atbp. Also present were Dr. Luzviminda Relon, Director of the Instruction and Faculty Development Office; Mr. Lester Aaron, Head of Curriculum and Instructional Material Development; Dr. Juvie Lynne Almachar, Head of Continuing Professional Development; and faculty members who have published their books.
Under the agreement, both institutions outlined a streamlined yet dynamic framework for collaboration that strengthens the entire academic publishing pipeline. The University of Northern Philippines will take the lead in manuscript development, ensuring that only finalized, peer-reviewed, and duly approved instructional materials are endorsed for publication. In turn, Books Atbp Publishing Corp. will assume responsibility for the full production process—handling editing, layout, and printing with professional precision—while also managing the distribution of the completed manuals through its bookstore and authorized retail channels.
To further expand accessibility, the publisher will also deliver selected college textbook titles to the UNP campus on a consignment basis, ensuring immediate availability for students and faculty. Despite this close collaboration, intellectual property rights remain firmly with UNP, safeguarding institutional ownership of the academic content, while granting Books Atbp a non-exclusive license to distribute the materials.
The UNP–Books Atbp collaboration marks the beginning of a year-long journey in knowledge dissemination, built on the belief that accessible, high-quality instructional materials are vital to the academic success of Filipino students.
