The University welcomed delegates from Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST) for a four-day Tissue Culture Training and Benchmarking Activity, which started yesterday, August 26, 2025 at the Research Conference Room, RDET Complex, QSU. The event was spearheaded by the Banana Research and Development Center (BRRDC) as part of its continuing efforts to strengthen research, development, and extension collaborations among higher education institutions.

The program opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Hermenegildo F. Samoy Jr., QSU President, followed by a presentation of BRRDC initiatives led by Dr. Elizabeth T. Carig, Vice President for Academic, Research and Extension. The session highlighted the University’s innovations in banana tissue culture and its contributions to agricultural sustainability. Dr. Noel B. Begnalen, ASIST Vice President for Academic and Related Affairs, expressed his gratitude to QSU for warmly accommodating their request and conveyed his hope that the partnership between the two institutions will continue to grow and reach greater heights.

To provide context on the purpose of the activity, Dr. Pablo B. Bose, ASIST Director for Research and Development, shared expectations from the benchmarking, while Dr. Nero M. Paderes, Director of AFNRD, ASIST introduced the participants from ASIST.

A guided visit to QSU’s Banana Tissue Culture facilities allowed participants to observe first-hand the laboratory processes and technologies being applied by the University.