To harness biotechnology for the benefit of people and the environment, a team from the University of the Philippines Los Baňos headed by Dr. Jeffrey P. Tamayo, the Technical Services Program Leader, led the capacity building on new knowledge and innovation on Biotechnology in CSU-Gonzaga on October 25-26, 2023.
The training showcased CSU-Gonzaga’s newly installed Mangrove and Bamboo-based Agroforestry Research and Innovation Center (MABRIC) Laboratory, where innovation in biotechnology is catered to improve food security and boost farmers’ income in the Cagayan Province.
With over 100 faculty members, researchers, students, and other stakeholders of CSU attending onsite and online, the goal to be in the forefront in translating biotechnological advancements into practical solutions that will benefit farmers, ecosystems, and the society at large, is inevitable.
In the training, lectures relative to protocols and requirements of various chemical testing parameters prior to analyses, were tackled. Awareness to the accreditation process of PNS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and imparting the laboratory’s experiences before, during, and after accreditation, were likewise discussed among others.
Participants were also given the chance to join parallel sessions in-line with their expertise. They were divided into three groups: the Biology group, Chemistry group and Microbiology group. Lectures and hand-on activities were held in each group.
On behalf of the CEO of the Gonzaga campus, Dr. Charisma Vivit, the Extension coordinator, shared before the audience that the capacity building was designed to empower everyone with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to harness the potential of biotechnology for research and extension. She also reiterated that by enhancing expertise in biotechnology, researchers, extensionists and stakeholders will be able to bridge the gap between laboratory research and its on-the-ground applications.
Further, the CEO extended his gratitude to the Biotech team of the UPLB for their expertise and time shared to CSU. According to Dr. Froilan Pacris, Jr., in his email sent, this efforts of all the participants and guests are pivotal in advancing agriculture and improving the lives of countless individuals. He hoped that the training will lead to valuable insights, breakthroughs, and ultimately, a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Also present during the training was Prof. Josie Bas-ong, the University Director for Extension; the RDE team of CSU-Gonzaga, the College of Agriculture faculty and students and the Department of Agriculture representatives of LGU Gonzaga.
Credits: Prof. Sharina Fidel, MABRIC Research Assistant; Dr. Charisma Vivit; Ms. Mylene Ermitanio; Ms. Gladys Dalmaceda