In a heartening display of academic collaboration and cultural exchange, Sorsogon State University’s Castilla Campus welcomed a delegation from Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) alongside foreign exchange students for a “Meet and Greet” event on January 25, 2025. The event aimed to strengthen ties between the two institutions while providing valuable learning experiences for the visiting students. The visit was made possible through the coordination of CBSUA President, Dr. Alberto Naperi.
The program kicked off with opening remarks from Prof. Andrew F. Detera, Campus Director of SorSU Castilla. In his speech, Prof. Detera warmly welcomed the CBSUA delegation and foreign exchange students, expressing gratitude for selecting SorSU Castilla as one of their educational destinations. He highlighted the significance of cultural exchange, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the two institutions.
After the opening address, Mr. Francis Leo M. Loberanes, a CBSUA CANR Instructor and Unit Head of the Technology Promotion and Demonstration Unit, explained the purpose of the visit. He was joined by Ms. Lourdes Maria Apongol, a CBSUA student representative, who introduced the foreign exchange students from Durban University of Technology (DUT) in South Africa—Ms. Thembeka Mbele and Mr. Kwazi Khomo.
The event continued with a campus overview by Ms. Desiree Joy Agripa, SorSU Castilla’s MIS Coordinator and Records Officer. Ms. Agripa gave the visiting delegation an in-depth look at the campus’s facilities, laboratories, and academic programs. The presentation provided valuable insights into the university’s offerings and resources, giving the visitors a deeper understanding of the academic environment at SorSU Castilla.
This was followed by an open forum, where students and faculty members from both institutions had the opportunity to engage, ask questions, and exchange ideas about their schools and programs. The forum provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and further strengthened the relationship between the two universities.
One of the highlights of the visit was an interactive campus tour, which allowed the CBSUA delegation and SorSU Castilla officials to explore the university’s innovations, laboratories, and facilities. The tour provided an opportunity for the foreign exchange students to see firsthand how the campus resources contribute to both academic and practical learning experiences.
The day culminated in a traditional Pili tree-planting ceremony, a symbolic gesture that reinforced the shared commitment of both universities to environmental sustainability. The tree planting also served as a lasting reminder of the fruitful partnership fostered by the exchange program.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Rochele N. Aragon, Dean of the College of Agriculture. Dr. Aragon expressed gratitude for the successful activity and shared her hopes for continued collaboration between SorSU Castilla and CBSUA. She also thanked the visiting delegation for their participation, which marked an important milestone in strengthening the relationship between the two institutions. As a token of appreciation, the delegation was presented with copies of SorSU Castilla’s Bloom Student Publication Services Magazine, a symbol of the shared knowledge and experiences that will continue to grow from this partnership.
Sorsogon State University-Castilla Campus
