Shared Knowledge, Shared Purpose: FU and USJ-R Begin New Academic Partnership
Foundation University (FU) and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) have formed a historic academic partnership to promote regional innovation and address emerging socio-economic challenges in the Philippines. University Chancellor Dr. Charlotte V. Cariño led the FU delegation in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 8, 2026, bringing together two major academic communities of Negros Oriental and Cebu City.
The partnership began through the FU College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the USJ-R School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) and soon grew into a broader, university-wide collaboration. The two universities will share knowledge, resources, and expertise through collaborative research, faculty development, academic exchanges, and institutional capacity building.
According to CAS Dean Dr. Maria Cecilia Genove, “The MOU between FU and the USJR brings to mind a partnership between two institutions tracking the same path, cognizant of a common goal. Essentially, in the pipeline are joint activities to hopefully address the ever-growing challenges of the present educational system, like the emergence of AI and how it has shaped or affected the entire communication landscape, the need to strengthen research productivity and publication including extension and community activities, thereby, contributing meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals.
“All in all, this augurs well not only specifically for the College of Arts and Sciences, but for the FU academic community. We are raring to jumpstart the activities after putting into place the mechanics and details.”
Dr. Ian Jarabelo, Chairman of the Department of Communications, Languages and Literature at USJ-R, and Ms. Maristela Rose Galia, Faculty Member and Researcher from the same department, signed the MOU on behalf of USJ-R.
Also present at the MOU signing were Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Romario Ybanez; CAS Assistant Dean Peter Macabinguil; Office of Research and Extension Director Alexander S. Baena; Graduate School Dean and Concurrent Director of Curriculum and Instruction Felipe Sullera; Internationalization Initiative Coordinator Anna Carla Merto from the Office of Partnership and Global Engagements; Creative Multimedia Director and Concurrent Broadcast Communication Program Chair Juliet Licaros; and CAS Assistant Professor Angela Gabrielle Bacang, FU Ethics Board Chair and CAS Instructor 2 Level 1 Christopher Bernard Benong, and CAS Instructor 1 Herc Robert Mekadish Duran.
Looking ahead, the universities have identified several joint initiatives under the theme “Building Critical Capacities Together: Critical AI Literacy, Faculty Exchange, and SDG-Aligned Research.” These initiatives include an upcoming seminar-workshop on critical AI literacy, structured faculty exchanges, and collaborative research publications. Through these programs, FU and USJ-R aim to strengthen professional development, create meaningful academic impact, and help build a more innovative future for higher education in the region.
By combining their strengths and commitment to service, FU and USJ-R aim to expand local research beyond the classroom and develop solutions to real-world challenges. The partnership also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By sharing resources and expertise, developing faculty skills, promoting academic exchanges, and conducting research aligned with global goals, the two universities can make a greater social and economic impact together.
