On October 13, 2025, the Nagoya University Philippine Center held an Entrance Ceremony at the SEARCA Umali Auditorium on the UPLB campus. The event welcomed six new Filipino doctoral students into the NU Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (NU ASCI) Transnational Doctoral Programs for Leading Professionals in Asian Countries, for the Fall semester. The event was honored with the attendance of the officials, professors, and representatives from Nagoya University, Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC),  University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), DOST Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Visayas State University (VSU) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU), among others. NU alumni and current ASCI doctoral students were also in attendance to welcome the new students and show their support.

The six new ASCI doctoral students are: Engr. Ryan A. Limco, Associate Professor at Western Philippines University in Aborlan, Palawan, the first student from the NU Graduate School of Engineering (GSE) since it joined the ASCI program in 2024; Mr. Jerico Stefan R. Bigornia, Associate Scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), (NU Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, GSBS); Ms. Jennifer M. Conda and Mr. Oliver S. Marasigan, both Senior Science Research Specialists at DOST-FPRDI, (NU GSBS); Ms. Melissa P. Montecalvo, Career Scientist at the National Crop Protection Center at UPLB, (NU GSBS); and  Ms. Ma. Estrella Luz R. Peñaloza, Officer-in-Charge and Chief Economic Development Specialist for DEPDev X in Northern Mindanao (NU Graduate School of Environmental Studies, GSES).


From left to right: Mr. Oliver Marasigan, Ms. Melissa P. Montecalvo, Mr. Jerico Stefan R. Bigornia, Ms. Jennifer M. Conda, Engr. Ryan A. Limco, and Ms. Ma. Estrella Luz R. Peñalosa

Dr. Naoshi SUGIYAMA, President of Nagoya University opened the ceremony and sent his congratulatory remarks through a video message. He expressed the utmost commitment of Nagoya University to support the new students in every challenge that they may face, and looks forward to their future goals and success as leaders of the country.

Dr. Jose V. CAMACHO, Jr., Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), in his welcome remarks, emphasized how the Nagoya University Asian Satellite Campus-Philippines hosted by UPLB has been producing high-caliber human resources that will contribute to the development of the Philippines, and also of the ASEAN Region. He also acknowledged the strong support from the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

Mr. Shigehiro MATSUDA, Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, also delivered a welcome remarks and extended his sincere congratulations to the six incoming graduate students of the NU Philippines satellite campus. He hopes that through this educational exchange, this batch of graduate students will not only fulfill their individual aspirations, but also gain the skills and knowledge to contribute towards strengthening the long-standing friendship between Japan and the Philippines.


Dr. Nur Azura binti ADAM, Deputy Director for Programs of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), congratulated the incoming graduate students on behalf of SEARCA Center Director, Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla. She inspired the new students to turn challenges into something optimistic, pursue efforts to show their leadership, and wishes that their path ahead be filled with learning, inspiration, and success. 

Dr. Neil H. Tan Gana, President of the Nagoya University Alumni Association (NUAL) Philippines Branch, shared an inspiring haiku by the renowned poet Matsuo Basho. The old pond in the poem symbolizes the students’ experiences, the frog’s jump represents their commitment to advanced research, and the water’s sound signifies the impact they will make with their dissertations.

Dr. Akira YAMAUCHI, Director of the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute and Asia Collaborative Development Department of the Global Multi-Campus (GMC) Institute, Nagoya University warmly welcomed the new students. He provided updates and information on the current status of students and alumni of NU Transnational Doctoral Programs in the Philippines.

The intermission number was performed by Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB.


Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, Center Director of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at UPLB, and Dr. Darwin M. Landicho, Associate Professor at Central Luzon State University (CLSU), both alumni of the NUASCI program at the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences (GSBS), shared their challenges and experiences as ASCI doctoral students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the obstacles they faced, the unwavering support from their families, home institutions, Nagoya University through their primary and local supervisors, along with their faith in God, were instrumental in the successful completion of their doctoral programs.

Dr. Makoto Kobashi, Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering (GSE), introduced Dr. Hikaru Nakamura as the supervisor for Engr. Ryan A. Limco, who is their first student in the ASCI program since they participated in 2024. Dr. Kobashi congratulated and encouraged the PhD students to value the support they receive and to give back to the program after graduation. In a similar manner, Dr. Satoshi Ohkura, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences (GSBS), welcomed four students and their advisers. Dr. Satoru Tsuchikawa, Dr. Sotaro Chiba, Dr. Shunsaku Nishiuchi, and Dr. Mariko Yamasaki will supervise Ms. Jennifer M. Conda, Ms. Melissa P. Montecalvo, Mr. Jerico Stefan R. Bigornia, and Mr. Oliver S. Marasigan, respectively. Dr. Ohkura hopes that their research will contribute valuable insights toward a sustainable future. Furthermore, Dr. Katsuyoshi Michibayashi, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies (GSES), introduced Ms. Ma. Estrella Luz R. Peñaloza, who will be supervised by Dr. Satoshi Yokoyama. Dr. Michibayashi is confident that her work and that of her fellow students will connect knowledge and practice, benefiting society and the environment.


The new students in turn delivered their commitment statements, assuring their home institutions and academic supervisors of their unwavering commitments to finish their doctoral programs within the prescribed period.


Dr. Hikaru NAKAMURA, Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering (GSE) concluded the program with his closing message. He emphasized that doctoral study is not only about advancing knowledge, but also about growing wisdom. The transnational doctoral students may face challenges more than the normal doctoral course due to distance. However, he assured them that they are never alone. Their supervisors, laboratory team members, ASCI members, and Nagoya University communities will guide and encourage them every step of their journey.


Related Articles:

Embassy of Japan, Philippines -  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AYVQQkiVu/
UPLB -  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BSGzSfdiz/
UPLB Chancellor Camacho -  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BEEopSihR/
SEARCA -  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FPjGVsr5U/
DTRI-  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZTbninwNK/
SESAM -  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ANWAYWYby/
CVM -  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CxiMEoS2s/

(By: Nagoya University Philippine Center)