The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), led by Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, was with the members of the ICDE Global Advocacy Campaign on OFDL Task Force Asia for the Working Group Meeting on 6 September 2022. 

Task Force Asia includes five Working Groups which handle specific areas of the campaign. UPOU leads WG 2 (Capacity Building) with updates reported by Ms. Margaret Jarmin-Suarez, PDA for Institutional Linkages. She reported that the members of the WG2 was able to meet and was able to identify six activities, including (1) rapid capability building needs assessment and preferred implementation mechanics; (2) design and development of the capability building curriculum; (3) identification of trainers from WG 2; (4) implementation fo the identified programs; (5) conduct of webinar-workshops; and (6) uploading of training materials on the Campaign Website. 

Dr. Myra Almodiel, Director for UPOU Office of Public Affairs, on the other hand,  reported on the updates and plans for WG 4 (Development of Digital Platform). According to Dr. Almodiel, the ICDE GAC Asia  Website is up and public already; the team also shared a centralized repository of all resources of the Task Force, especially materials that will be used for online visibility; social media pages are also in place. She encouraged members of the Task Force to actively upload on the shared drive so the team will be able to easily share on the digital platforms. There were suggestions given to improve the website that were noted by the WG 4. 

Updates for the Working Groups 1, 3 and 5 were also reported by respective representatives. Ample opportunity for suggestions and comments for improvement was given and WGs were quick to take note of the suggestions. 

Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, is co-chair with Asia eUniversity for the Task Force Asia, and is learning the UPOU Team in this international campaign. Prof. Dato Dr. Ansary  Ahmed,  Asia eUniversity President, presided over the meeting.

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The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less
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