THE UNIVERSITY of San Carlos (USC) has entered into a partnership with Saga University’s Institute of Ocean Energy to promote collaborative research on clean and sustainable ocean energy.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed earlier this week by USC President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa and Prof. Yasuyuki Ikegami of Saga University.

The signing ceremony was attended by Hon. Hideaki Matsuo, Consul General of Japan in Cebu, and Dr. Tristan L. Abando, Director of DOST Region VII, both of whom expressed strong support for the initiative.

Consul Matsuo described the collaboration as a “partnership for the future,” aimed at harnessing ocean power for sustainable progress. Prof. Ikegami called it a “memorandum of doing—of action and shared achievements.”

Under the MOU, USC and the Institute of Ocean Energy will conduct joint research on ocean thermal energy conversion, wave energy, marine currents, offshore wind, and tidal power generation. The agreement also includes faculty and student exchanges through USC’s School of Engineering.

Meanwhile, DOST reaffirmed its commitment to the initiative, with Dr. Abando highlighting its alignment with the agency’s mission to promote sustainable innovation.