MSEUF collaborates with NGOs and partners to advance climate adaptation education

Strengthening partnerships for local climate action

In coordination with local NGOs and environmental groups, MSEUF engages students, faculty, and alumni in community-based projects that restore ecosystems and build resilience. Through its Community Extension Services (CES), the University partners with civic organizations, local government units, and community associations to plan and carry out initiatives such as tree-planting, mangrove restoration, drought-tolerant gardening, and coastal clean-ups. These activities provide direct education on climate adaptation strategies while improving biodiversity and ecosystem health.

During the University’s 77th anniversary, MSEUF’s Botanical Garden became a learning site for climate action when NGOs and alumni organizations joined offices and student groups to plant 56 cacao trees, promoting long-term carbon capture and sustainable land use. Likewise, alumni scholars, in partnership with local environmental advocates, conducted a native-tree learning session to raise awareness about the ecological value of indigenous species and their role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Campus–community collaboration for water-smart adaptation

MSEUF expanded its climate-agriculture education through partnerships with civic and agricultural organizations that promote drought-resilient farming. The University introduced dragon fruit, bignay, and other drought-tolerant plants in its campus gardens to demonstrate practical, water-smart adaptation measures that can be replicated in local communities. These initiatives teach residents and students how to thrive under warmer, drier conditions while ensuring food security and reducing environmental stress.

The Sampaloc campus, in collaboration with community cooperatives and NGOs, continues to operate learning gardens that connect food production with climate adaptation. These gardens serve as open laboratories where residents learn about carbon sequestration, waste reduction, and biodiversity conservation, translating scientific knowledge into sustainable community practices.

Cross-border training for disaster preparedness

Beyond local partnerships, MSEUF fosters international collaboration on disaster education and community resilience. The College of Criminal Justice and Criminology, working with the Huachiew Chalermprakiet University in Thailand and international NGOs focused on disaster risk reduction, trains students on hazard assessment, early warning systems, and emergency response frameworks. This collaboration strengthens institutional capacity to reduce disaster risks and enhances the University’s role in advancing global climate education.

Learning by doing for community resilience

Through its alliances with NGOs, government offices, and academic partners, MSEUF integrates learning by doing into its instruction and outreach. Participants in these programs not only acquire knowledge on climate adaptation but also apply it through community engagement, returning as advocates for resilience and sustainable living.

The University’s climate education initiatives embody its core values of Service, Mindfulness, and Excellence, aligning with its vision to become a globally competitive institution that empowers communities to act on climate challenges through research, leadership, and service.