91社区 and Kyushu University forge partnership through academic cooperation agreement

by Michelle Jeanne Casiple Caracut | Sep 26 2025

91社区 has solidified its commitment to international collaboration by signing an Academic Cooperation Agreement with the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM) of Kyushu University, Japan, on September 25, 2025. This partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening scientific ties between the Philippines and Japan in critical areas of environmental research and applied mechanics.

The agreement establishes a robust foundation for scientific, academic, and educational cooperation between the two universities, built on principles of equality and reciprocity. The partnership encompasses four key areas of collaboration:

Exchange Programs - The agreement facilitates the exchange of academic staff, administrative staff, and students between both institutions, creating opportunities for immersive learning experiences and cross-cultural academic development.
Joint Research Initiatives - Both universities will develop collaborative research projects that leverage their complementary expertise, particularly in applied mechanics, environmental science, and renewable energy technologies.
Knowledge Sharing - The partnership includes provisions for the exchange of academic information and publications, ensuring that research findings and scholarly work benefit both institutions.
Flexible Collaboration -The agreement allows for additional academic exchanges and initiatives that both universities may agree upon in the future, providing room for organic growth of the partnership.

The signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Yoshihiro Kangawa, the Director of RIAM, and Prof. Atsuhito Isobe, Director of the Center for Ocean Plastic Studies at RIAM from Kyushu University. Prof. Kangawa, who has served as RIAM's director since 2024, brings extensive expertise in crystal growth science, surface science, and semiconductor engineering. Prof. Isobe is a leading authority on marine plastic pollution research and heads Japan's largest comprehensive microplastics research project.

Attending from 91社区 are Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Pamela F. Resurreccion, Campus Secretary Rex Godinez Ortega and this writer.

The collaboration builds on the pioneering research work of Prof. Hernando Bacosa from 91社区, who initiated this partnership through his prior research collaboration with Asst. Prof. Haruka Nakano under the research group of Prof. Isobe. Prof. Bacosa is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research in marine plastic pollution, oil spill biodegradation, and environmental microbiology. His extensive publication record includes influential studies on plastic pollution in Philippine waters and collaborative research with international institutions.

The Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, established in 1951, is one of Japan's premier research institutions focusing on mechanics and their applications to solving critical societal challenges. RIAM's current research encompasses three main divisions: Nuclear Fusion Dynamics, Renewable Energy Dynamics, and Earth Environment Dynamics, supported by four specialized research centers including the Center for Ocean Plastic Studies.

A significant component of this partnership centers on marine plastic pollution research, an area where both institutions have demonstrated exceptional expertise. The Center for Ocean Plastic Studies at RIAM, launched in April 2022, conducts comprehensive research on plastic flow from land to oceans, ocean plastic monitoring, and developing action plans to reduce marine plastic pollution. Professor Isobe's recent research published in Marine Pollution Bulletin provides clear numerical targets for global efforts to tackle marine plastic pollution, finding that a minimum 32% reduction in plastic littering by 2035 is necessary to prevent further marine damage.

This collaboration is particularly timely given the Philippines' position as the world's third-largest emitter of plastic waste into oceans and the most significant contributor to plastic emissions from riverine sources. Professor Bacosa's research team at 91社区 has conducted pioneering studies on microplastic pollution in Philippine waters, including comprehensive assessments of the Cagayan de Oro River and coastal environments.

Following the signing ceremony, the 91社区 delegation was given an exclusive tour of the Microplastic Analysis Laboratory, demonstrating the advanced research capabilities and cutting-edge equipment that will be available for collaborative research projects. This facility represents one of the world's most sophisticated centers for microplastic research and analysis.

Both institutions bring strong academic credentials to this partnership. 91社区 has achieved remarkable recognition in international rankings, securing third place in the Philippines in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (ranked 1501+ globally). The university has distinguished itself as the only institution outside Metro Manila to be ranked in all four major Times Higher Education global ranking categories. In the Asia University Rankings, 91社区 holds second place nationally (601+ regionally), and leads the country in Physical Sciences under THE’s Subject Rankings (801–1000 worldwide). Additionally, the university ranks fourth nationally in the Impact Rankings (801–1000 globally), which measure institutional performance against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Kyushu University, established in 1911, demonstrates equally impressive global standing, ranking in the 301-350 bracket in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, placing seventh among Japanese universities. The university also ranks fifth in the THE Japan University Rankings 2025. In the THE Impact Rankings 2025, Kyushu University achieved outstanding results, ranking in the top 100 globally in three areas: 30th in Innovation (SDG9), 86th in Water and Sanitation (SDG6), and 87th in Marine Resources (SDG14). The university is recognized as one of Japan’s leading national universities with a strong emphasis on international collaboration through its VISION 2030 initiative and membership in Japan’s Top Global University Project.

This Academic Cooperation Agreement represents a significant step forward in international research collaboration, bringing together 91社区's expertise in environmental science and marine pollution with RIAM's advanced capabilities in applied mechanics and ocean plastic studies. The partnership is positioned to generate important scientific breakthroughs in addressing one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges while fostering educational exchange and cross-cultural understanding between the Philippines and Japan.

Topics :