Dr. Anne McDonald, Director of Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, met with COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij and made a courtesy call to him. Dr. McDonald and Researcher Dr. Iain Hall are in Pohnpei as consultants for the GCF Grant for the FSM Government and Pohnpei State.

During the discussions, Dr. Anne McDonald briefed Executive Director Stanley Lorennij on her roles and responsibilities at the Island Sustainability Institute. She also provided updates on the different programs and projects conducted at the Institute and the potential for collaborative efforts between COM partner colleges and Sophia University regarding Students enrolling in a fully funded Master’s program in Environmental Sciences there. Dr. McDonald was particularly interested in the COM Aquaculture Program, especially the Sea cucumber project, and explained her efforts in the conservation of sea cucumbers while working in Japan. She will explore possibilities of student and research staff exchanges between Sophia University and the COM system. Dr. Iain Hall, a visiting researcher at the Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, and Dr. Manoj Nair, in charge of aquaculture at the COM Central Office, also participated in the meeting.

Pictured from left to Right: Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM Land Grant, Dr. Iain Hall, Visiting Researcher, Island Sustainability Institute, Dr. Anne McDonald, Director, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan at COM Central Office in Pohnpei March 13, 2024, 2024

Pictured from left to Right: Doman Daoas, CFO, COM Land Grant; Ricardo Vera Cruz, Business Manager, COM Land Grant Program; Dr. Anne McDonald, Director, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan; Dr. Iain Hall, Visiting Researcher, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan and Engly Ioanis, WSARE Coordinator, at COM Central Office in Pohnpei March 13, 2024

Pictured from left to Right: Grace Lorrin, Administrative Assistant COM Land Grant Central Office; Haraline Ramirez, Secretary for COM Land Grant Board of Regents; Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph, Governor of Pohnpei State. Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM Land Grant, Doman Daoas, CFO, COM Land Grant, and Ricardo Vera Cruz, Business Manager, COM Land Grant Program at the Governor’s office in Pohnpei February 27, 2024 ( Photo and news credit: Pohnpei State Public Information, Office of the Governor)

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij did a courtesy call on Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph, the newly elected Governor of Pohnpei State. COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij extended congratulations to Governor Joseph and provided updates on the program and discussed potential collaborative efforts.

Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph expressed his thanks and gratitude for the of a close partnership with the College of Micronesia Land Grant and Pohnpei State Government to benefit the lives of the local population.

During the discussions, The Hon. Governor emphasized The Pohnpei Food Security Policy and the importance of engaging non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly at the grassroots and community levels. Governor Joseph cited successful examples of NGOs cultivating sea cucumber and rabbitfish, contributing to sustainable practices and economic development.

During the meeting, COM Land Grant Executive Director updated Hon Governor Joseph about the upcoming construction of a new office building for the College of Micronesia Land Grant, Hon. Governor Joseph expressed his full support for the proposed new office in Kolonia, Pohnpei

COM Land Grant Administrators, Researchers and Extension Agents under the leadership of Executive Director Stanley Lorennij met at in Yap State of FSM from February 10-18, 2024 at the Yap State Early Childhood Education Conference Hall to finalize the next COM Land Grant Plan of work (COMLG-POW) to be undertaken by the COMLG staff at the three partner Colleges:- College of Micronesia -FSM, College of the Marshall Islands and Palau Community College. The team discussed the needs of stakeholders of the three countries and discussed ways to incorporate those needs in the next COMLG-POW to be submitted to National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA for approval and implementation. Annual Accomplishment Reports of the staff from each partner college were also presented and deliberated upon during this meeting.

Executive Director, COM Land Grant; Stanley Lorennij, inaugurating the POW meeting in Yap on February 10, 2024

COM Land Grant team discussing the Annual Accomplishment report and the new COMLG-POW

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij met with COM-FSM President Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono and COM-FSM IT Consultant Dhiraj Bhartu at the COM-FSM President’s office at Palikir, Pohnpei, on January 26, 2024. The meeting discussed, among other things, collaboration possibilities of COM and COM-FSM with revamping and upgrading the COM Land Grant website. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture, accompanied the COM Executive Director at this meeting.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Manoj R Nair, Director, Chief Scientist, Aquaculture; Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM Land Grant; Dhiraj Bhartu COM-FSM IT Consultant; COM-FSM President, Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono