The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Training Center (BARTC) and Cotabato State University (CSU) represented by PLTCOL Ophelio Dakila A. Concina Jr (Officer-in-Charge, BARTC) and Prof. Dr. Sema G. Dilna (University President) was held in the afternoon of June 1, 2022 at BARTC Multi-Purpose Building, Camp BGen Salipada K. Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao to sustain their long-established partnership on peace and development. Some of those who were present in the event were Dr. Teng S. Alim (CSU VPAA), Dr. Tarhata S. Guiamalon (CSU Graduate School Dean), Hon. Ustadz Saudi Abubacar (BOR Member), Hon. Esmail Ali (BOR Member), Dr. Norodin Salam (CSU NSTP Director), Dr. Abdulsamad Shaik Dr. Emraida S. Ali, and Dr. Arnold Alferez (CSU Graduate School Program Heads), Director Armia Dilna, PD Professors and students, and police officials and officers.

       The MOU signing was commenced warmly by both parties. Police Major Ngolab shared in his welcome address that the event is a sustainability of a long-standing friendship between BARTC and CSU. For Police Major Mauricio Jr, the event was a milestone and opportunity for the policemen to obtain quality education from competent professors. He described that the realization of the event was like a peace talk done with series of consultations”. In affirmation to the positive statements of Major Ngolab, Officer-In-Charge PLTCOL Dakila Jr said during his delivery of inspirational message, that the police officers are very lucky because the Memorandum of Understanding will bring them high caliber professors from whom they can acquire knowledge that they can showcase in their promotion. As expressions of gratitude and commitment, University President Professor Dr. Sema G. Dilna gladly responded with salute to PLTCOL Dakila. He shared that the signing of Memorandum aimed the training and development of policemen in different aspects of lifelong processes in various fields of specialization. He added that the affair is in-line with the vision of Cotabato State University of becoming a world class education hub and a national university for peace and development. Corroborating the words of the CSU President, Dr. Teng S. Alim thanked the BARTC for giving the honor to CSU as its primary partner in developing its human resource.

       He said that he is very supportive to all academic programs being ventured by the president in the pursuit of making CSU an international education hub. Sharing her joy on the partnership of BARTC and CSU, Dr. Tarhata S. Guiamalon, Dean of the Graduate School, expressed her gratitude on the support of the CSU and the BARTC administrations to her initiatives in realizing the event. She said that in her time as dean, she will make sure that the Graduate School is committed to produce high competent police officers in order to uplift the socio-economic development of Bangsamoro communities. She even emphasized that the Graduate School binds itself to choose the best professors for this agreement. The program on MOU signing was ended with a peaceful and friendly tour in the camp.- //Mobarac R. Dimasindel, Ph.D