The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) officially sealed a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on research collaboration on April 6, 2026, held via virtual platform.
Leading this milestone were Dr. Erwin Cadorna, President of UNP, and Dr. Jude Duarte, President of SLSU, two leaders who share a clear belief that meaningful progress happens when institutions work together.
For Dr. Cadorna, the partnership reflects UNP’s continuing effort to open more opportunities for its researchers and to create a space where ideas can grow through collaboration. His leadership has consistently encouraged connections that go beyond the university, making research more relevant and impactful.
Dr. Duarte, on the other hand, emphasized the value of partnerships built on trust and shared purpose. His message highlighted that collaboration is not just about working together, but about creating real opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation for both institutions.
Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, Director of the University Research and Development Office formally introduced the key participants behind the collaboration. While leading this part of the program, she has also been instrumental in the development of the partnership, helping connect both institutions and move the collaboration forward from concept to reality.
Earlier in the program, Dr. Fatima Rocamora, Vice President for Research and Extension, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of partnerships in strengthening research and academic work.
The direction of the collaboration was presented by Dr. Ludito Ramirez, who explained that the partnership centers on bibliometric analysis, a research approach used to examine scholarly publications, identify trends, map collaboration networks, and assess research impact.
As part of the agreement, UNP and SLSU will jointly undertake the following research projects:
1) Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health through Bibliometric Analysis: Trends, Applications, and Global Health Outcomes
2) Gender Equality in Gaming: A Bibliometric Analysis of Representation, Workforce Dynamics, and Cultural Implications
3) The Evolution of Autonomous Vehicle Research (1997–2023): Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions
4) Navigating the Terrain: A Bibliometric Analysis of Cybersecurity and Mobile Security UNP Research and Development Office
These initiatives aim to generate deeper insights into emerging fields, guide future research directions, and strengthen both institutions’ capacity to produce impactful and high-quality scholarly outputs.
The highlight of the event was the formal signing of the MOA, followed by a virtual photo opportunity, marking the official start of the collaboration.
In her closing message, Dr. Francis Ann Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, Publication, and Extension, shared that partnerships like this go beyond formal agreements, they are about building connections that last and creating work that truly matters.
The UNP–SLSU collaboration marks the beginning of a shared journey, one built on trust, cooperation, and the belief that better ideas come from working together.
