BS Fisheries (BSF) students from Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) main campus in Estancia, Iloilo shared their learning after completing their on-the-job training at the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas (UPV-CFOS) Miagao campus.
At the closing program on July 4, 2024, 19 students took turns in sharing the knowledge, competencies, and skills that they gained after spending 172 hours of training from June 4 to July 3, 2024. Certificates of completion were issued to the participants.
The trainees shared and discussed specific activities that they underwent, including the techniques, key learning outcomes, and insights gained from the actual experiences in order to prepare and provide them with the competencies that they need as well-rounded fisheries professionals in the future.
They were deployed at the different institutes of the College, namely, the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, Institute of Aquaculture, and UPV Museum of Natural Sciences. They were also divided and distributed to various on-going research projects of CFOS on blood cockle (litob), seaweed, green mussel, milkfish, and tilapia.
Students were given lectures on a variety of topics, as well as hands-on laboratory exercises that allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, improve their technical abilities, and widen their understanding of the principles and concepts of fisheries science.
Dr. Leovigildo Rey S. Alaban, OIC dean of the College of Fisheries and Allied Sciences, NISU, who was also present at the closing program, expressed his appreciation to UPV-CFOS for providing their students with the opportunity to acquire the latest knowledge and technical skills essential to be competent in the field of fisheries.
“We appreciate the knowledge and skills learned by our students especially the things that they can only learn from CFOS such as in post-harvest and marine fisheries because we have limited facilities and expertise,” he said. “I hope that our students will cherish the knowledge, competencies, and skills provided by the experts from CFOS.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Cristy S. Acabado, director of the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology and officer-in-charge of the Office of the Dean, addressed the student trainees.
Acabado underscored the importance of capacity-building and networking to share CFOS expertise, laboratories, and equipment with other fisheries schools to advance fisheries education in the country.
“I hope that your training here could help you as you pursue your theses and in your future career. I hope to see you one day if you’re already part of the industry and continue to contribute to the success of fisheries science,” Acabado said.
Speaking on behalf of their group, Ryan B. Catulin, thanked the faculty members, REPS, staff, and the project research personnel for making their OJT journey at CFOS an enriching experience.
The CFOS On-the-Job Training Program is spearheaded and facilitated by the Committee on Public Service headed by Ms. Rowena E. Cadiz. The program runs from May 27 to July 26 and accepts a maximum of 40 participants annually.