The scientists under the Department of Science and Technology-Balik Scientist Program (DOST-BSP) at MMSU and a US Visiting professor affirmed their commitments for the establishment of MMSU as a role model for energy self-sufficiency during the exit conference of the DOST-Balik Scientist Program at MMSU held on April 4 at the University Training Center.  The two scientists, Dr. Catalino A. Blanche, National program leader of the Natural Resources and Environment Unit of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Dr. Terencio I. Sarigumba, Technology Development Leader of the Timber Company Georgia of Pacific Corporation, USA had signified their intention to come back to the university for the defense of the proposal on MMSU as a model university for energy self sufficiency to be submitted to external funding agencies such as the DOST.  Dr. Fiorello B. Abenes, a US Fulbright Visiting Professor to MMSU, likewise, asserted his commitment not only to MMSU but to the country as a whole through his research on converting biomass into ethanol.

                   On the other hand, Dr. Josefino C. Comiso, Senior Scientist of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and one of the three DOST Balik Scientists, who left MMSU before the exit conference, had signified his support to MMSU’s aim for energy self sufficiency through his assistance for a training of an MMSU staff at NASA.  He, likewise, sat down with the Climate Change team in the preparation of a proposal on climate change for integration to the MMSU’s program for external funding.                   Earlier, the scientists had worked with the MMSU Bioenergy, Renewable Energy, and Climate Change team members in the preparation of proposals that geared towards the said purpose during the Renewable, Energy, Bioenergy and Climate Change: Rountable Discussion Towards MMSU’s Energy Self-Sufficiency on April 2 and 4.      

            The three scientists had been to the university under the DOST-Balik Scientist program from March 30 to April 4.  Aside from serving as consultants during the proposal writeshop on MMSU as model for energy self-sufficiency, they also shared their expertise as speakers in the lecture series conducted as part of the Balik Scientist Program attended by academicians, researchers, health practitioners, and local government unit representatives from the various member agencies of Ilocos Norte Science Community, educational institutions and other agencies from the neighboring provinces.            

    The DOST-Balik Scientist Program at MMSU was coordinated by Dr. Carlos M. Pascual, director of MMSU External Affairs and Partnership, and Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, chief of MMSU International Programs, respectively. The program had for its theme “Renewable energy, bioenergy, and climate change:  MMSU-DOST initiatives for energy self sufficiency.