Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology
MSU-IIT is Center for Sustainable Polymers under DOST's NICER Program
Posted on : November 12, 2021
Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) has solidified its reputation as a leading university in Mindanao by being named a Center for Sustainable Polymers - the first of its kind in the country.
MSU-IT was given the recognition in April by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) along with P107.3M in funding for the program and projects to be undertaken.
The designation of the University as a Center for Sustainable Polymers by DOST occurs under the agency’s new Niche Centers for Research and Development (NICER) Program.
The NICER Program aims to provide institutional grants to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for research and development capacity building to improve their science and technology infrastructure.
The program and projects of MSU-IIT as a Center for Sustainable Polymers will be implemented through a research team composed of faculty members from its College of Engineering and Technology (COET) and College of Science and Mathematics (CSM).
Dr. Arnold A. Lubguban, COET faculty member who has a doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Missouri, USA is the overall head of the Center’s program. Dr. Lubguban's field of specialization is on polymer bioprocessing.
The team also has two project leaders, namely, Dr. Arnold C. Alguno, CSM faculty member who completed Doctor of Science in Physics in Tohoku University, Japan and who specializes in research in semiconductor and nanotechnology; and Dr. Ronald P. Bual, COET associate professor who finished Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering at Kyushu University, Japan and whose areas of specialization are in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
The team’s study leader is Dr. Roberto M. Malaluan, COET faculty member who holds the degree Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Tohoku University of Japan. Dr. Malaluan specializes in research in supercritical fluid technology.
Funded by DOST-GIA/DOST-PCIEERD, the Center's projects will be implemented in collaboration with other universities and agencies such as MSU-Naawan, MSU-General Santos, MSU-Marawi, Caraga State University, Ateneo de Davao University, Chemrez Technologies, Inc., URATEX Philippines, MERAV Bio-Nutraceuticals, Corp., Nuevochem Specialties, Inc., and Phoenix Petroleum.
A virtual press conference was held on October 8, 2021, dubbed as Investing in R&D: Shaping the Philippine Innovation Landscape. A Virtual Presser on New Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) under the Health and Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology sectors where the MSU-IIT Research Team shared what the Center is all about, its projects and products.
In the same press conference, the DOST Executive officials gave keynote messages. Mr. Nelson Samonte, General Manager of Nuevochem Specialties, Inc. and Dir. Alfonso P. Alamban, Regional Director of DOST X gave their messages of support to MSU-IIT.
See related news here: https://msuiit.edu.ph/news/news-detail.php?id=1359