As part of the institutionalization of the Balik-Scientist Program (BSP) under Republic Act No. 11035 which aims to strengthen the scientific and human resources of the academe and public and private institutions, including locally registered enterprises to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country, a DOST Balik-Scientist Program Meet and Greet was held at CatSU Accreditation Room, January 29, 2024. The event was in collaboration with the university’s International Relations and Continuing Professional Development Services office, led by its Director, Prof. Zyra Mae T. Tumala, and Climate Change Solutions Office, headed by Dr. Dexter M. Toyado. Attended by faculty members and students from the College of Science, College of Education, and College of Agriculture & Fisheries, the event highlighted Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan of Cardiff University School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EARTH), Cardiff, United Kingdom, a DOST Balik-Scientist Program Awardee for CatSU 2024. In his welcome speech, Prof. Vicente Padilla, Dean of the College of Science, expressed his affirmation of support to the Balik-Scientist Program and thanking Dr. Tangunan for choosing Catanduanes State University as the recipient of her engagement. At the outset, Dr. Rosana S. Abundo, Vice President for Research, Extension and Production Affairs thanked the organizers and DOST as this is the first time that CatSU hosted the BSP through the university’s Center for Climate Change Solutions. Dr. Abundo emphasized two points in viewing the BSP in relation to the Catandunganons and as individuals, with first as Values of Gratitude, and the second as Spirit of Bayanihan. “BSP gives back and shares the knowledge and expertise for the advancement of research and development of the province. For the “bayanihan”, it is basically part of our culture. Let’s take all these as an opportunity. Let us altogether navigate this path towards a sustainable future for CatSU,” she said. Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan, with a vision of imparting knowledge, is expected to bring a wealth of expertise in biogeochemistry and paleoclimate research. Her research aligns seamlessly with the instructional, research, and extension activities pursued by the institution. Also in attendance were Faculty Regent Prof. Danilo O. Murillo, and Vice President for Administrative & Financial Affairs, Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda, and Executive Vice President, Dr. Robert B. Barba Jr. Dr. Tangunan aims to offer workshops to interested students with linked topics, propose and contribute through advanced scientific knowledge, and showcase the geological history of Catanduanes. Throughout her informative talk, she shows her interest in collaborating with the students in studying with her proposed activities. Prior to this Meet and Greet event, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) personnel Mr. Sherwin Delos Reyes, visited CatSU on January 4, 2024, and met with President, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, in line with the signing of Contract of Award of Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan under the Balik Scientist Program. 𝑮𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕Dr. Deborah Tangunan is a geologist and climate scientist and currently a Marie Sklodowska Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences in Cardiff University, United Kingdom. She works on the biochemistry of marine phytoplankton, and what they can tell us about past climate, ecology, ocean productivity, and marine carbonate chemistry, to better understand the present and future climate scenarios. She obtained her BS degree in Agriculture major in Soil Science and MS degree in Geology at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños and Diliman, respectively, before moving to Germany to undertake her PhD in Geosciences at the University of Bremen, while working as a research scientist at the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences. After earning her PhD in 2017, she then took a role as a Postdoctoral Investigator at the University of Salamanca in Spain and is now working on her project funded by the European Research Council in Cardiff University. Dr. Tangunan is also keen on outreach work, participating in the Once Upon a Time series of science short stories, written to engage the public about climate change and the importance of the marine environment, and has taken part in and won a number of science engagement and impact activities and grants such as Science slams, Falling Walls Lab, American Geophysical Union Centennial grant, among others. In 2019, she had a short stint as a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist, with the UP Institute of Environmental Sciences as the host institution. With CatSU CICCS and the College of Science as host institution, Dr. Tangunan aims to collaborate with CatSU researchers, scientists, and faculty in the fields of climate, oceanography, and geosciences. Dr. Tangunan hails from Lanao, Virac, Catanduanes, such a Catandunganon pride.
Intended for the university’s techno-demo farm, the Catanduanes State University, through the Academe for Community Empowerment Through Holistic and Ecosystem-Based Approach for Mangrove Crab Sustainability (ACE-HEMS), received one Starlink kit from Help.NGO.Sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the donated satellite communication kit was personally accepted by ACE-HEMS head, Professor Jimmy T. Masagca, from Help.NGO officials led by Philippines Innovation and IT Director Matthew Cua on Monday, January 29. It can be noted that one of the development goals under the present administration of University President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza is partnering with reputable private entities “to help broaden knowledge, skills, and values that protect the natural environment and promote the achievement of sustainable development.”Aligning with this goal, as the Starlink kit satellite takes its place at CatSU's techno-demo farm, there is optimism that this technology will greatly support ACE-HEMS initiatives and the university's commitment to mangrove crab sustainability.
In its quest to strengthen the public and private sector partnership to help resilient communities, Catanduanes State University (CatSU) officials led by University President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, welcomed the officials from Help.NGO, Monday, January 22, 2024.The team, composed of Matthew Cua, Philippines Innovation and IT Director, and joined by Adam Marlatt, USA Operations Director, Agata Klat, Poland Communications Director, and Jose Felix, Philippines Expert on Mission, were welcomed by Executive Vice President Dr. Robert Barba, ATIC Director, Prof. Abelisa Evangelista, and Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, CatSU’s seasoned professor and member of National Panel of Technical Experts of the Climate Change Commission. Help.NGO, an International Non-Governmental Organization specializing in emergency response, preparedness, risk mitigation and prevention operates as a non-profit organization in the European Union and a UN Standby Partner with operations across the globe. The organization employs cutting-edge technological solutions and expertise to improve national and international disaster response mechanisms prior to, during, and after emergencies.Having pioneered global training and resiliency initiatives, Help.NGO focuses on conducting impactful programs, including UAS (Unmanned Aerial System), LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Connectivity, and Cloud Computing training and capacity-building programs in various regions, spanning countries such as the European Union, Mexico, Haiti, Philippines, Colombia, Ethiopia, among others.The University President expressed satisfaction with this international collaboration, expressing his gratitude to the organization.“We are happy with the collaboration that we have with Help.NGO. We appreciate the efforts now that they are set to do training for our university along with our partner organizations,” Dr. Azanza shared.In addition to training programs, Help.NGO also offers UAS and Cloud Computing support such as mapping and surveying mangrove forests, rehabilitation sites and nurseries as well as abaca plantations and nurseries throughout Catanduanes Island. The organization will offer a free one-year resource to process drone data into usable maps in the cloud, allowing CatSU to utilize its own UAS for various projects.President Azanza highlighted the importance of disaster management projects for supporting the island's livelihood, emphasizing their role in achieving the institution's goal of becoming a National Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management“Disaster management projects to support the island’s livelihood are indeed necessary and significant in our goal to make the institution a National Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management. We are thankful and grateful for the opportunities like this that we get to be visited by experts,” the president ended.
Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, President of Catanduanes State University (CatSU), recently met with regional and provincial officials from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) to discuss the FRONTIER initiative.FRONTIER, which stands for Fostering the Revitalization of Nascent Textile Innovations Ecosystems in the region, highlights the strong interest in promoting technological advancements and innovations in the textile industry, with a particular focus on abaca as the primary material.The meeting was attended by esteemed leaders and staff members, including Mr. Rommel Serrano, DOST-V Regional Director; Engr. Marie Grace T. Molina, DOST-V Provincial Science & Technology Director; Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr., OIC Director-DOST PTRI; Dr. Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento, VP for Research, Extension and Production Affairs (REPA); Asst. VP REPA Kristian Q. Aldea; RDS Director Dr. Jose Z Tria; Abaca Technology Innovations Center (ATIC) Director Prof. Abelisa D. Evangelista, and faculty members from the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) at CatSU.During the meeting, DOST-V, through PSTO-Catanduanes, in partnership with DOST PTRI, presented the programs and projects that can be implemented at CatSU. The main objective is to promote fiber textile technologies, including fiber extraction, treatment, and the establishment of a Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub, with Catanduanes being a potential area for its development. The presentation also discussed possible technologies that can be implemented, such as abaca drying technology and decorticating machines. #CIV
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Regional Director Engr. Carmela P. Valencia and DICT Provincial Officer-in-charge Mario John D. Gonzales recently visited Catanduanes State University (CatSU) to further their partnership with the institution.During their visit, they met with CatSU Executive Vice President Dr. Lily P. Custodio, Federated College Student Council (FCSC) President Angelo Piolo M. Laynes, and Information Technology Services (ITS) Director Mae Ezra T. Abundo.RD Valencia shared plans to continue collaborating with CatSU in various training programs and to provide laptops for students, which will be managed by the FCSC.Recently, the DICT Regional Office approved ITS Director Abundo's request for an additional bandwidth of 150 Mbps for the university's internet connection, which is scheduled to be configured this week. This enhanced partnership between DICT and CatSU aims to provide better support for students and promote access to technology and communication services that can benefit the society and the academic community. #FJBT
