By Lemuel Karl A. Tadios
CATBALOGAN CITY – In a bid to enhance their extension policies and adopt best practices in community development initiatives, a delegation from Bohol Island State University (BISU) recently embarked on a benchmarking activity and extension site visit at Samar State University on March 11-12 (24).
The delegation led by BISU’s University Extension Director Dr. Lloyd L. Tejano and Campus Extension Director Ms. Mearie Jean A. Faustino, together with Extension Chairpersons from different colleges Dr. Deanne Cameren Evangelista, Dr. Jo-Ann Ingking, Mr. Mark Justine Manuta, Ms. Christine Guliman, Mr. Jess Carlo Banal, and their staff, was welcomed by SSU’s President-OIC Engr. Ma. Lourdes P. Amante, VP for Research and Extension Services (VPRES) Engr. Mirador G. Labrador, and the Executive Directors for Research and for Extension Services Dr. Sherrie Ann C. Labid and Dr. Vivian L. Moya, respectively.
The two-day activity commenced with comprehensive knowledge sharing sessions along Sustainability Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism led by the University Planning Director, Dr. Rodrigo Estrada, SSU’s Extension Policies by VPRES Labrador, including best practices in various areas such as business and management, engineering and industrial technology, teacher education, and arts and sciences as facilitated by Dr. Vivian L. Moya, Engr. Jon Alvin Macariola, Dr. Marife M. Lacaba, and Ms. Ma. Rubi M. Parrocho, respectively. A quick tour around the Research and Innovation Center also followed.
Continuing their exploration of SSU’s extension initiatives on the second day, the delegation visited two successful community development projects – the Science and Technology Community-Based Farm (STCBF) in Tarangnan, Samar, an extension site of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded Project that started in Basey, Samar, and the Hybrid (Hydro-Solar) Alternative Energy Source for Remote and Rural Areas (Microscale), a CHED-DARE TO-funded project in Matuguinao, Samar. The team engaged with local stakeholders and learned about the challenges and successes of the projects, reaffirming the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing community needs.
The activity ended with a brief meeting exploring other avenues for collaboration aimed at advancing knowledge, promoting sustainable development, and addressing pressing societal challenges.