Northwest international director, agricultural sciences director participate in trade mission to Philippines

Two Northwest Missouri State University employees participated this fall in a seven-day trade mission to the Philippines with nine U.S. companies to advance agricultural technology and food security in Southeast Asia while educating international and business leaders about the opportunities Northwest offers.

The first-of-its-kind trade mission was organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding, which specializes in international business development, government relations, trade, investment, government leaders and international relations.

Thomas Merlot (second from left) and Dr. Rod Barr (sixth from right) accompanied representatives of nine U.S. companies on a trade mission to the Philippines to advance agricultural technology and food security in Southeast Asia. (Submitted photos)

Thomas Merlot (right), the director of Northwest’s International Involvement Center, converses with Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, the secretary of environment and natural resources of the Philippines, during an October visit to the region.

Left to right during a reception while participating in an October trade mission are Alexandra Berry, a guidance counselor at International School Manila; MaryKay Carlson, the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines; Thomas Merlot, director of Northwest’s International Involvement Center; and Dr. Rod Barr, the director of Northwest's School of Agricultural Sciences.

While the trade mission brought together select U.S. agricultural companies and manufacturers – including Cargill, John Deere, Sukup Manufacturing and Valmont – Northwest was the only educational institution invited to participate in the mission, which showcased U.S. innovation to support the agricultural supply chain.

Thomas Merlot, the director of Northwest’s International Involvement Center, and Dr. Rod Barr, the director of Northwest’s School of Agricultural Sciences, represented the University during the mission.

On behalf of Northwest, Merlot expressed the University’s commitment to promoting diversity and global opportunities for students through scholarship and exchange programs.

“I want to show that Northwest is committed on all fronts not only to offer academic opportunities for international students but also understand and serve as a leader in international education,” Merlot said. “Dr. Barr played a key role in the mission and it was such a great experience to see him share knowledge and practices with both local and international organizations. I look forward to opening this opportunity to other departments and seeking new opportunities for our faculty to get involved in our international efforts.”

For Barr, the trade mission helped him develop a better understanding of agricultural needs in a different part of the world and the importance of sharing knowledge – including knowledge he now can relay to students in Northwest classrooms.

“Being able to see that and being able to see transferability of skills – it doesn't matter where you’re at in the world,” Barr said. “It’s the same issues and talking about food security – it was eye-opening, and it was pretty special.”