Central Luzon State University in collaboration with the University Consortium - Southeast Asian Regional Center for Agriculture (UC-SEARCA) held the opening program of the 2023 International Summer Short-term Program (ISSP) at the OVPAA Amphitheater today, July 24.
The ISSP will run for nine days and will feature three commodities which will provide an intensive training in the sustainability areas of mushroom biology, freshwater aquaculture, and goat production. Faculty-researchers from CLSU will serve as resource person for the different sessions.
A total of 23 international participants from Maejo University (Thailand), National Taiwan University (Taiwan), Tokyo University of Agriculture (Japan), Universitas Gadjah Mada, Institut Pertanian Bogor (Indonesia), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Xiamen University (Malaysia), and 8 local participants from University of the Philippines Los Baños, Visayas State University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, and Central Luzon State University will be attending the different sessions.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, VP for Administration and OIC, Office of the University President expressed his gratitude to UC-SEARCA for trusting CLSU as host of the significant event. He also emphasized that the participants must take advantage of this event to build connections with other members and bring their new knowledge to their community to be impactful individuals.
“I welcome all of you to CLSU and I do hope that you will bring with you new skills and knowledge that would benefit your respective institutions as well,” Dr. Abella added.
To provide the participants an overview of CLSU as host institution, Dr. Armando N. Espino, Jr., VP for Research and Extension presented the R&D initiatives on digital and smart agriculture while Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, VP for Academic Affairs presented the CLSU’s journey on ISSP from 2021 to 2022.
Meanwhile, Ms. Blessie Saez, Senior Program Associate Education, Collective Learning Department of SEARCA provided an overview of the organization and its different grants. On the other hand, Mr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Director, sent his video greetings extending a warm welcome to the attendees and acknowledged CLSU for its active dedication and enthusiasm with the consortium.
