DOrSU Formalizes Membership with ATU-Net, Signs New International Partnerships in Vietnam
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) has been officially recognized as a new member of the Asia Technological Universities Network (ATU-Net), an alliance of more than 50 premier institutions across Asia committed to advancing academic exchange, research collaboration, and technological innovation.
The formal recognition took place during the 13th ATU-Net Board Meeting held on October 31, 2025, in Hanoi, Vietnam, where DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce also signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with two distinguished universities—Phenikaa University (Vietnam) and Universitas Multi Data Palembang (Indonesia). These partnerships aim to strengthen joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives, aligned with DOrSU’s Regenerative Futures Vision 2035 and GROWTH 2029 Agenda.
Through the ATU-Net membership, DOrSU joins a dynamic network that connects Asian higher education institutions to collectively pursue technological advancement and sustainable development. This milestone positions the University as a regional player in shaping transformative education, research excellence, and innovation-driven collaborations.
Following these engagements, Dr. Ponce also met on November 3, 2025, with Dr. Nguyen Kim Loi, a leading environmental scientist from Nong Lam University, the oldest public university in South Vietnam. Accompanied by his team from the Research Center for Climate Change, Dr. Loi discussed potential research collaborations with DOrSU’s Spatial Data Center for Regenerative Futures (SDCRF).
“This collaboration was born from connections I made through Dr. Victor B. Amoroso in Mongolia,” shared Dr. Ponce in a social media post, emphasizing the organic partnerships being cultivated through academic diplomacy. “Our shared commitment to climate resilience and regenerative development opens opportunities for joint projects that can benefit communities across Southeast Asia.”
Further strengthening this academic mission, Dr. Jonathan Cabrera, DOrSU’s Director for Research, is set to participate in Vietnam’s National Conference on Climate Change, where he will present a research paper and discuss the technical details of the forthcoming collaborative projects.
Through these strategic collaborations, DOrSU continues to fulfill its mandate as a research-driven institution that builds knowledge networks and solutions addressing the pressing challenges of sustainability, climate adaptation, and regeneration in Asia and beyond.
