With the goal of sharing its best practices and technical expertise to assist and empower SorSU in the fields of agriculture and food science, the University of the Philippines Los Baños – College of Agriculture and Food Science (UPLB-CAFS) Team, under the leadership of Dr. Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. (Dean, UPLB-CAFS) together with Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo (Editor-in-Chief, Philippine Agriculturist and Director, Institute of Animal Science), Dr. Amado A. Angeles (Faculty, Institute of Animal Science), Dr. Sheryl A. Yap (Director, Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology), Ms. Rona Kay G. Franco (University Researcher, Postharvest Training and Research Center), Dr. Barbara L. Caoili (Director, National Crop Protection Center), Dr. Dennis Marvin O. Santiago (Director, Institute of Food Science and Technology), and Ms. Maria Teofel Latayan (University Researcher, CAFS), spearheaded a consultative meeting on 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 with Sorsogon State University (SorSU), led by SUC President III, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, today, August 15, 2023, at SorSU Board Room, Sorsogon City Campus.
Following the welcome remarks of President De Jesus in which she expressed her eagerness & dedication to the partnership, Dr. Agbisit, Jr. (Dean, UPLB-CAFS), in his message, highlighted that it is one of the goals of the UPLB, as a public research university, to engage and establish linkages with all agriculture-based universities in the country and to explore/enter into potential collaborations on agricultural education and research.
Meanwhile, the consultative meeting proper, presided by Dr. Agbisit, Jr. (Dean, UPLB-CAFS), centered on discussions on the fundamental needs of SorSU and various means CAFS could potentially provide assistance and support to the former along with their technical expertise — thus highlighting the primary commodities of the province along with livestock and crops, particularly on the Pili potentials/concerns and the commitment of SorSU to establish the Sorsogon Province as the “𝙋𝙞𝙡𝙞 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨.”
Moreover, SorSU concerned officials from four campuses also discussed their areas of interest/concerns with the UPLB-CAFS team, including product development, standardization of products, concept to market launch, assistance on food processing facility, operations of machinery & equipment, food technology, and food sustainability.
Further, during the closing remarks, Dr. Ryan V. Dio (Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training) conveyed his deep appreciation to the UPLB-CAFS team for choosing SorSU in its academic visit to the Bicol Region and as a partner for future collaborative projects.
“𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 [𝙐𝙋𝙇𝘽] 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙡𝙮-𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙞𝙡𝙞 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧.”
Relatively, SorSU key officials: Dr. Eric E. Fuentes (SorSU-COT Faculty Member) and Dr. Jenet B. Fuentes (Director, SorSU-Quality Assurance), both UPLB alumni, were instrumental in realizing the consultative meeting between SorSU and UPLB-CAFS creating the groundwork for future academic partnerships on agricultural education/research.
Present also at the consultative meeting were SorSU top executives: Dr. Jhonner D. Ricafort (Vice President for Academic Affairs); Mr. Gerald E. Fulay (Vice President for Administration and Finance); Campus Directors: Dr. Telesforo D. Escoto (Sorsogon City Campus), Prof. Andrew F. Detera (Castilla Campus), Prof. Ma. Elena C. Demdam (Bulan Campus), and Prof. Lynn C. Mendoza (Magallanes Campus); Dr. Susan S. Janer (Dean, Graduate School); Dr. Catherine A. De Castro (Director, Planning Management); Dr. Christine H. Ferolino (Director, Research and Development); Mr. Jerome M. Llabres (Program Chairperson, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture); and other SorSU officials and personnel.
Likewise, another consultative meeting was held at SorSU Castilla Campus during the afternoon activity. UPLB-CAFS consultative meeting on instruction, research, and extension is organized from August 14-18, 2023. (SorSU PIO)
