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Published: 15 October 2014
Dr. Teruo Maeda and Dr. Lawrence M. Liao, professor and associate professor of the Graduate School of Biosphere Science, respectively, of Hiroshima University (HU) in Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan, together with six third year college students of HU—Yuki Takeuchi, Mizuki Ueda, Tomomi Aratani, Yutaro Morozumi, Kojiro Sebata, and Yuma Miyazaki—visited the Visayas State University Main Campus on September 2-6, 2014 for an Educational Tour. The group was hosted by the College of Agriculture and Food Science through the Department of Animal Science (DAS) headed by Dr. Dinah M. Espina.
The group was warmly welcomed by Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, VP for Instruction, during the courtesy call at the VSU Office of the President. Dr. Tulin oriented the visitors on the different programs of the University. Moreover, the participants were toured around the campus by Mr. Jesus Freddy M. Baldos, Administrative Officer V of VSU Information Office, for them to learn more about the University and have a glimpse of the campus and its surroundings.
The host department through Dr. Lolito C. Bestil, faculty member of DAS, gave an overview of the department including its programs and the faculty members. After which, the group was divided into two, in which the students attended a lecture in Animal Science 133 subject and mingled with other college students who are taking up Bachelor of Animal Science, while Dr. Maeda and Dr. Liao had an interaction with the DAS faculty.
What transpired during the discussion was the need to maximize the full potential of the MOA between the two universities. The HU representatives extended an invitation to the faculty and staff of the Department and even to some VSU personnel to visit Japan, either to conduct research or make a joint research proposal which will be implemented in the Philippines and in Japan. It was also discussed that VSU can invite Japanese professors to serve as thesis committee members and even as guest lecturers.
Other activities lined up for the Japanese exchange students included the following: briefing on buffalo production project, horseback riding lessons, visit to copra processing plant and observed coconut wine gathering, visit to the Philippine Carabao Center and the Baybay Dairy Cooperative and observed milk processing, interactions with VSU Animal Science students, demonstration on restraining cattle/Rodeo skills, participate in small ruminant and poultry activities, field trip to Sabin sheep-cattle and pineapple farms, and visits to some research centers and academic departments.
The exchange students also had some sports activities like basketball, volleyball tennis together with the VSU counterparts.
The week-long visit to VSU was concluded with a dinner and socials at the Center for Continuing Education wherein all participants showcased their prowess in singing and dancing. Likewise, certificates of participation were distributed to the Japanese students with some impressions delivered by the representative of the students and the professors as well as the VSU counterparts.
The educational tour was made possible as part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Academic and Educational Exchange between VSU and HU that was signed on December 9, 2011 at the Training Hall of PhilRootcrops. The Agreement aims to establish an academic and educational exchange that would promote mutual understanding between the two universities through educational and academic collaboration and exchange, and ultimately contribute to the advancement and progress of learning.
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Published: 15 October 2014
Dr. Lawrence M. Liao, associate professor of the Graduate School of Biosphere Science of Hiroshima University (HU) in Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan, conducted a seminar on Ethics in Research and Publication Writing on September 4, 2014 at the PhilRootcrops Training Hall. The seminar was participated in by some faculty, staff and students of the University including the master and doctoral students.
In his paper entitled “Recent Ethical Issues Challenging Academic Research,” Dr. Liao talked about some of the reasons why students plagiarize as cited by Park, 2003. These are: ignorance of academic integrity or digital ethics, emphasis on grades versus learning, poor time management and research skills, personal values or attitudes, peer pressure, temptation and opportunity, and negative student attitudes towards assignments and teachers.
Dr. Liao also mentioned why researchers publish their work and it is because they want to communicate results to peer, advance career, personal prestige, gain funding, and financial reward. Moreover, he revealed some types of scientific misconducts wherein the researcher must be aware of. These include the following: failure to report results accurately, failure to do a proper literature search, failure to ensure data is correct, failure to be honest, failure to assign credit fairly where due, failure to adhere to and work within ethical guidelines, failure to attribute work of others you use.
Likewise, he defined the three types of misconducts based on the Hiroshima University standard, such as fabrication which is making up data or results and recording or reporting them; falsification which is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the researcher is not accurately represented in the research record; and plagiarism which means the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
Dr. Liao also presented some tips on how to avoid plagiarism. “Quotation” is one tool in which the writer can have an exact copy of something someone else has said or written and citing the source. “Paraphrasing” is another tool in which the writer rewrites the text in his/her own words but must cite the source. “Citation” is also one by naming the text that identifies the source of a quote or idea.
According to Dr. Liao, authorship must be based on substantial contribution to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; drafting the article or reviewing critically for important intellectual content; and final approval of the revision to be published as cited in the guidelines set by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.
He also reminded those trained persons who are paid salaries to do routine technical and laboratory tasks that they cannot be authors if they only perform routine experimental tasks. “However, they can be authors if they contribute to the independent establishment of new and non-routine methods used in the projects, and if they participate in experimental design and interpretation,” Dr. Liao said.
The speaker also warned the participants regarding authorship abuse also known as promiscuous authorship. Among these authorship abuses include honorary authorship out of respect and friendship in an attempt to solicit favor; coercive authorship in response to their exertion of seniority or supervisory status over subordinates or junior investigator; mutual support authorship as a result of agreement by two or more investigators to place their names on each other’s papers; duplication authorship by publishing the same work in multiple journals; ghost authorship whose authors’ names appear or disappear from a paper for whatever reasons; and denial of authorship when works of other people are published without providing due credit for their work.
The topic on plagiarism was reinforced with a workshop after some inquiries cropped up which the speaker eloquently responded at the end of the seminar.
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Published: 29 September 2014
The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and the Visayas State University, conducted the Biotechnology Information, Education and Communication Forum on August 13, 2014 at the VSU Center for Continuing Education.
More than a hundred participants composed of some local government officials of the City of Baybay, the neighboring barangays’ LGU officials, VSU faculty, staff, and students attended the said forum.
The Forum was made possible through the project on Capability Building and Sustainable Biotechnology Information, Education and Communication for DOST and LGU Key Personnel spearheaded by the NAST, Philippines with Professor Emeritus and Academician Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza of the University of the Philippines Los Baños as the Project Leader, and Mr. Dexter L.A. Bautista of NAST, Philippines as Project Manager. The project aims to create awareness of and provide science-based information on modern biotechnology, including issues and concerns and biosafety regulations.
The project beneficiaries included some selected resource persons from private and state universities and colleges, key officials and personnel of LGUs, DOST officials and personnel, and the general public.
Among the different topics discussed by the resource persons include: “Biotechnology for Everyone” by Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, Biotechnology Focal Person for Region 8 and University Professor and at the same time Vice President for Instruction of VSU;
“Current Applications and Products of Modern Biotechnology” and “Assuring the Safety of Modern Biotechnology” by Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio, Core Trainer of Biotechnoloogy IEC Project and Associate Professor of the College of Medicine of UP Manila; and
“Technological and Social Issues and Concerns” by Dr. Marcos Valdez, Jr., Biotechnology Focal Person for Region 7 and Assistant Professor of UP Visayas-Cebu Campus.
The Forum was concluded with some questions raised from the audience that were readily answered by the resource persons.
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Published: 13 October 2014
The Visayas State University had joined the entire country in celebrating the 114th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service with the theme “Tapat na Serbisyo Alay Ko Dahil Lingkod Bayan Ako.”
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Published: 12 September 2014
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), accorded to Prof. Tessie C. Nuñez, scientist of VSU-based National Coconut Research Center-Visayas (NCRC-V), the 2014 Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award known as Gregorio Y. Zara Medal “In recognition of her successful commercialization of the soft-endospermed coconut, commonly known as makapuno, which is being utilized in the export of sweetened dessert and popularly used as ice cream flavoring, cake topping, pastry filling, and as a major ingredient in the production of food wrap being exported to the United States. For her outstanding technological research in developing self-pollinating and early-bearing makapuno hybrids using local dwarf coconut as maternal parents and UPLB (TMAC) makapuno as pollen parent ensuring high makapuno yield. The technology brought tangible benefits to many adopters and local growers, providing significant income generation and increased plantations to the limited makapuno populations in the country.”
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and the chairman of the Board of Judges, National Scientist Edgar Garcia, presented the award to Prof. Nuñez during the opening program of the National Science and Technology Week on July 24, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
The Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award recognizes the efforts of technology generators and developers whose technologies have been commercialized. The award was named after the late National Scientist Gregorio Y. Zara, renowned Filipino engineer and inventor. Prof. Nuñez and the other three Filipino scientists and researchers from the University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines Dilliman, and University of the Philippines Los Baños were awarded for their outstanding achievements in research and development (R&D) and technology commercialization. The awardees each received plaques, medals, and a cash prize of PhP150,000.
This year’s NSTW celebration was anchored on the theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Meeting Global Challenges”. The occasion showcased the current trends, innovations, interventions, and inventions of Filipino scientists, engineers, technologists, and various works by the entire scientific community, such as technologies and programs geared towards strengthening the manufacturing industries, small and medium enterprises, human resources capabilities, e-governance, and disaster preparedness, among others.
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Published: 13 October 2014
Dr. Julie D. Tan and Dr. Daniel Leslie S. Tan, both Professor VI of VSU’s Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops), participated in the 3rd International Symposium on Processing of Foods, Vegetables and Fruits held on August 11-13, 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Teaching Centre in Selangor, Malaysia.
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Published: 12 September 2014
The Visayas State University through its President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, and the Santeh Feeds Corporation through its President, Mr. Phillip L. Ong, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would provide opportunity to both parties to venture in any development initiatives including technologies in relation to aquaculture and swine production. The MOU was signed on August 13, 2014 at the PhilRootcrops Training Hall in the presence of VP for Research and Extension Othello B. Capuno, Director for Research Rosa Ophelia D. Velarde, PhilRootcrops’ Central Analytical Services Laboratory In-charge Cynthia Dolores V. Godoy, and Mr. Fred Yap of Santeh.
Santeh Feeds Corporation, a stock corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines with principal address at 601 West Trade Center, 132 West Avenue, Quezon City, as a progressive and innovative feed miller engaged in the production of aquaculture feeds, livestock feeds and pet feeds is always in the lookout for new technologies and laboratory facilities that can help improve its product lines and services; and promotes sustainable aquaculture and the natural system of swine raising and through its direct contact with the industry has a human resource complement with practical know-how in aquaculture and in the natural system of piggery.
Santeh acknowledges VSU’s expertise in various areas in agriculture, animal science, and food technology; and its strong thrust towards research and development with laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation.
As a result of their mutual covenants, both parties agreed on the following responsibilities:
VSU shall make its analytical and research laboratories available to Santeh for the analysis of feedstuff as well as for product development on a pre-agreed schedule and cost; VSU faculty and staff shall be available to Santeh for consultation and contract research on pre-agreed areas of specialization and study at a pre-agreed timetable and remuneration for services rendered; and shall accept Santeh staff for training in specialized laboratory procedures as maybe useful to Santeh operation.
Santeh, on the other hand, shall provide VSU with the ready to build designs for swine raising facilities for instructional and research purposes using the natural hog raising system as well as the design for a state of the art swine breeding facility with its staff to assist VSU in the construction and initial operation of the said swine raising and breeding facilities; shall assist VSU in establishing a tilapia-hatchery and nursery in its main campus using practical designs it has been exposed to in the industry; and shall arrange for the visits by VSU staff to established piggery using the natural system as well as to commercial swine breeding facilities and to commercial tilapia hatchery-nursery establishments as may be required.
The MOU took effect immediately upon signing and shall remain in full force until terminated by both or either parties with justifiable reasons and 30 day notice to the other party.
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Published: 29 September 2014
Some 100 researchers, farmers and processors from Mahaplag, Abuyog, Baybay City, Ormoc City—all in Leyte; Calbayog City, and Southern Leyte, including those from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Number 8 and the Visayas State University, convened on August 5, 2014 for the Jackfruit Congress TechnoMart and Market-Matching Event at the VSU Convention Center and experienced Jackfruit World in a day.
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Published: 12 September 2014
The Visayas State University (VSU) under the administration of Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo devoted a special day to honor the unsung heroes of Philippine agriculture—the farmers and fisherfolks in Eastern Visayas. The tribute was held during the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Day on August 11, 2014 at the VSU Convention Hall on the occasion of the 90th VSU Founding Anniversary as an institution.
Guided by its theme “Upland Agriculture: Unlocking its Potentials for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience,” the ceremony kicked-off with a parade around the VSU Lower Campus. It was participated in by some 2,000 farmers and fisherfolks from various farmers organizations throughout Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas regions, namely: Cabintan Livelihood Community Association in Cabintan, Ormoc City; Cambantog Integrated Green Environment Farmers’ Association in Lake Danao, Ormoc City; Lake Danao Community Association, Ormoc City; Lake Danao Farmers’ Association, Ormoc City; Patag, Gabas, Guadalupe Farmers’ Association in Baybay City; Brgy. Marcos Fisherfolks’ Association, Baybay City; Brgy. Marcos Farmers’ Association, Baybay City; Brgy. Hipusngo Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Association, Baybay City; Baybay Dairy Cooperative, Baybay City; Baybay Farmers’ Association, Baybay City; City Agricultural Fishery Council, Baybay City; Brgy. Makinhas Officials and Farmers, Baybay City; Villaconzoilo Community Association in Jaro, Leyte; and Brgy. Tongonan Kananga Community Association in Kananga, Leyte.
Other farmers’ organizations who were not able to participate in the parade included those from the municipalities of Silago, Bontoc, Macrohon, San Juan, and Sogod—all in Southern Leyte; Tudela, Pilar, and Poro in Camotes Island, Cebu; Bohol; and Samar Island.
The major highlight of the affair was to give recognition to the 2014 Ugmad Award Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur, Outstanding Vegetable Farmer, Outstanding Livestock Farmer, and Outstanding Farmers’ Association among the nominees from all over Region VIII.
The University, in cooperation with other government and private companies, accorded plaques of recognition and cash or in-kind awards to the winners of the different categories.
The recipient of the 2014 (Ugmad Award) Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur is Mr. Bendicar D. Gerona of Brgy. Buac Gamay, Sogod, Southern Leyte “For his innovativeness, hard work and determination to increase productivity and profitability in his farm. He initially started tilling two hectares which eventually grew to a five-hectare farmstead owing to his entrepreneurship and diligence. A farmer with a knack for planning and entrepreneurship, he participates in agri-aqua fairs and garden shows giving him opportunities to learn and also market his produce. He shows a remarkable concern for the environment by adopting organic farming and ecologically-sound pest management practices. Despite his success as a farmer, he continues to learn and is very willing to share his knowledge with his fellow farmers. As farmer-cooperator for field trials, his farm has become a model for other farmers. Mr. Gerona is a perfect example of the new breed of successful farmer-entrepreneurs who can prove that farming is a highly rewarding vocation.”
Mr. Gerona received a plague from VSU and a cash award of PhP20,000 from the provincial government of Leyte through Gov. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla.
The East-West Seed Company, Inc. awarded the 2014 Outstanding Vegetable Farmer to Mr. Romeo V. Mazo of Brgy. Kansungka, Baybay City, Leyte “For exemplifying innovativeness, hard work and determination to make his three-hectare land a productive vegetable farm. Concerned about the environment, he started abandoning conventional farming practices and adopted an organic farming system. His hard work and good entrepreneurial skills have brought him enough profits to acquire additional farm plots. His success in vegetable production also paved the way to his election as an officer of the Baybay Farmers’ Association where he continuously shares his knowledge and wisdom to other farmers. Mr. Mazo is a highly successful vegetable farmer who continues to innovate and find ways to help his fellow farmers.”
Mr. Mazo received a plaque and a cash award of PhP15,000 from the East-West Seed Company, Inc. through its Sales and Marketing Head, Mr. Gerardo P. Domingo.
VSU and the Univet Nutrition and Animal Health Care Company (UNAHCO) presented the 2014 Outstanding Livestock Farmer Award to Ms. Marilyn D. Legaspi of Sitio Manloy, Mapgap, Baybay City, Leyte “For her innovative and environment-friendly farming practices that transformed her small 100-layer egg production venture into a 70,000 broiler farm. Her innovations included transforming the original improvised poultry house that she started with into a huge sturdy air-conditioned building with automated equipment for feeding and watering and an innovative waste management technology that helps control bad smell and flies. The farm wastes are given to fellow farmers for their use. A trained accountant, she acknowledges that her success was achieved with the help of a private corporate partner who encouraged and helped her learn and succeed in poultry farming. Ms. Legaspi is a farmer-entrepreneur who has shown that even with a different professional background one can succeed in poultry farming which makes her a good example to other farmers.”
Ms. Legaspi received a plaque and products worth PhP15,000 from UNAHCO through Mr. Glenn L. Ibañez, the Technical Director.
On the other hand, the University and the Plan International bestowed the 2014 Outstanding Farmers’ Association to the Villaconzoilo Community Association (VILCOA) of Villaconzoilo, Jaro, Leyte “For outstanding leadership, unity, hard work, and entrepreneurship as an organization which helped raise their productivity and incomes even with marginal resources and minimal initial support from the government. Despite the harsh agroclimatic conditions in the uplands. VILCOA has demonstrated that upland agriculture can be productive and profitable as a solution to poverty through the adoption of sound environmental practices such as use of organic fertilizers and pesticides and soil conservation technologies such as contour farming. In addition, good marketing practices, internal capital formation, member protection through group insurance and organizational development trainings have fostered strong member participation and group cohesion. With only 38 members, VILCOA’s financial assets have grown to a million pesos and various external partners who have seen their organizational potentials have started to provide support to their programs and projects.
VILCOA’s success is an example of how good leadership, organizational cohesion, hard work and dedication, viable income generating projects and strong government support, can make a farmers’ organization become a potent force for rural development. VILCOA is an outstanding model for aspiring farming groups and communities, which capitalizes only on their fortitude and unity to make the best of their marginal resource base. Lately, VILCOA has demonstrated that even after typhoons Yolanda and Glenda devastated their area, a strong organization is able to rise from the devastation and be productive again through unity and cooperation.”
VILCOA received two knapsack sprayers worth more than PhP15,000 from Mr. Erwin G. Cachuela, Provincial Coordinator of Plan International.
Nevertheless, all finalists in the different categories received certificates from VSU.
The different awardees were selected based on the following criteria: Innovativeness (30%), Productivity (30%), Community Leadership (20%), and Environmental Concerns (20%), for a total of 100%.
This year’s Ugmad Search Committee is composed of Prof. Efren B. Saz, chairperson; Dr. Alfredo B. Escasinas, Prof. Reny G. Gerona, Dr. Milagros C. Bales, Dr. Humberto R. Monters, Jr., Dr. Ana Marquiza M. Quilicot, Prof. Arsenio D. Ramos, and Ms. Adelina O. Carreno, as members.
The awards were distributed by the sponsoring agencies together with the VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo, Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, and VP for Research and Extension Othello B. Capuno.
Prior to the awarding ceremonies, the farmers and fisherfolks forum took place to give way to the farmers and fisherfolks to air their concerns especially on upland agriculture, climate change adaptation and resilience. Dr. Eduardo O. Mangaoang, professor of forestry, had a presentation on Climate Change Agriculture and Natural Resources as a prelude to the open forum. The panel of VSU experts composed of Dr. Victor B. Asio, Dr. Beta C. Ratilla, Dr. E. O. Mangaoang, Dr. Luz O. Moreno, Dr. Lolito C. Bestil, Dr. Zenaida C. Gonzaga, Prof. Tess C. Nuñez, and Dr. Marcelo A. Quevedo responded to some queries raised by the participants.