West Visayas State University (WVSU) President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz leads the university’s participation in the 4th Annual ARISE (ARO Alliance of Southeast and East Asia) Meeting held in Nagasaki, Japan, from October 16 to 17, 2025.
With the theme “Leveraging ARO Capacity to Strengthen the Clinical Trials Ecosystem in ARISE,” the event brings together key leaders from Academic Research Organizations (AROs) across Asia to strengthen collaboration in clinical research and public health development.
The meeting is co-hosted by Nagasaki University, renowned for its expertise in infectious disease research and disaster preparedness. It is supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) under the project “Clinical Research and Clinical Trial Platform Formation to Promote International Research Cooperation Between Japan and Asian Countries in the Field of Infectious Diseases.”
Dr. Villaruz’s engagement in the meeting highlights WVSU’s dedication to advancing health research and enhancing evidence-based healthcare in the region.
“At WVSU, we serve communities that lack access to advanced healthcare and research facilities, particularly in rural areas. Our action plan is anchored in the belief that clinical research should not be confined to urban centers alone. By establishing a clinical trial unit and investing in local capacity-building, we hope to bridge this gap and make research more inclusive and impactful. This aligns with ARISE’s vision of strengthening research ecosystems, especially in regions traditionally underrepresented in clinical studies,” Dr. Villaruz shared.
The ARISE network envisions becoming a leading and reliable collaboration of AROs in Asia that promotes infectious disease clinical trials while upholding ethics, integrity, safety, and quality in research. Through this international engagement, WVSU continues to affirm its role as a research-driven institution committed to global collaboration, innovation, and improving public health outcomes through science.
By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO
