#GoingGlobal: Three #ProudViscans join prestigious international programs in Indonesia and Japan

Visayas State University (VSU) further cemented its presence in the global academic stage as three of its master’s students were accepted into highly selective international programs in Indonesia and Japan. 

John Mark Francisco joins ISCoNREM 2025 in Indonesia

John Mark R. Francisco, a Master of Science in Horticulture student, was chosen to participate in the 4th International Summer Course in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (ISCoNREM) organized by IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia, from September 7–15, 2025.

The program, themed “Exploring Harmonization in Tropical Ecosystems: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Better Environmental Solutions,” brought together students and researchers from across the globe to discuss environmental management and climate change. 

Participants were immersed in field activities, ecological trips, coral reef observation, and community engagement projects that explored how youth can play an active role in mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Francisco was one of only 117 applicants worldwide who earned a slot after a rigorous selection process.

He was also required to complete several pre-program assignments, including a quiz on climate change impacts, a reading exercise on tropical ecosystems, and the preparation of innovative learning materials for children on youth contributions to climate action.

For Francisco, the program provided him the chance to represent both the Philippines and VSU in international discussions on sustainability.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to broaden my perspective on environmental management while also representing VSU and the Philippines in addressing issues that affect us all,” he shared.

His participation was supported by SEARCA, VSU, and the Graduate Education Office to ensure that his experience in Indonesia would contribute to his research and training back home.

Animal science students advance research at Hiroshima University

At the same time, Khristel Nicole L. Banes and Mark Laurence L. Fornis, both pursuing a Master of Science in Animal Science, were invited to attend the 17th International Summer School for the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted by Hiroshima University from September 8–12, 2025. 

During the summer school, Banes and Fornis presented their co-authored research on novel semen extenders in swine reproduction. Banes focused on the potential of poultry egg yolks, while Fornis explored watermelon juice as an alternative to conventional extenders for domestic boars. 

Both projects address practical issues in animal reproduction science, particularly in improving breeding efficiency in livestock production, an area highly relevant to Philippine agriculture.

Their training extended beyond research presentations. They also worked in laboratories under Dr. Masahide Nishibori (Animal Genetics) and Dr. Masayuki Shimada (Reproductive Biology), attended lectures on SDGs, and joined cultural immersion activities that emphasized the importance of situating science within a global sustainability framework.

This program is part of the long-standing academic relationship between VSU and Hiroshima University. In 2024, four VSU students and two faculty members from the Department of Animal Science and the College of Veterinary Medicine participated in the 16th International Summer School. The partnership continues to offer opportunities for graduate students and faculty to engage in training, research exchanges, and international conferences.

Through Francisco, Banes, and Fornis, VSU demonstrates how graduate education at the university is now strongly connected to global academic networks. Their experiences exemplify the kind of training that prepares VSU students not just for local practice, but also for participation in international conversations on agriculture, sustainability, and development.

As VSU continues to build partnerships and open doors for its scholars, the success of its graduate students abroad signals the university’s steady progress in shaping researchers who can contribute both globally and locally, turning research into impact for communities in the Philippines.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 4: Quality Education; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

• Prev
• Next