The Isabela State University (ISU) will be the home of the soon-to-be-established Cagayan Valley Freshwater Fisheries Center (CVFFC) after becoming one of the first awardees of the Niche Center of Science and Technology (DOST). Dr. Ricmar Aquino, ISU president, said that the state university received an P18 million grant from the DOST and the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARD) as the first NICER for freshwater fisheries in the region as well as in the whole country. The DOST’s NICER program aims to build the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) and state universities and colleges, specifically in the regions, to undertake quality research that will contribute to countryside development through the upgrade of their S&T infrastructure.

Ronda, R. A. (2018, June 29). ISU home of Phl 1st freshwater fisheries center. Philippine Star, p. B16.