As another academic year begins, the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) welcomed its new batch of Aggies last September 10 via Zoom.

To formally hail the new freshmen, CAFS Dean Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. spiced up his welcome message with a bit of history about the College. Hoping to inspire the students, Dean Agbisit narrated that 112 year ago, the UP Board of regents embarked on a challenge to develop their true first-born college, the UP College of Agriculture now the College of Agriculture and Food Science. Standing the test of times for more than a century,  CAFS continues its service of molding minds, strengthening the soul and spirit, and creating leaders in agriculture and food industry.

Dean Agbisit also shared that CAFS constituents, where they now belong to, are called Aggies. The term “Aggies” refers to students from agricultural land grant schools, and UP is a land grant University, hence the title.

Dean Agbisit emphasized that being an Aggie is an advantage as CAFS is home to the best professors, researchers, and staff who will guide them to become the country’s forerunners in agriculture and food science. Furthermore, CAFS is a consistent topnotcher in the Licensure Examination for Agriculturist and is awarded the CHED’s Center of Excellence in Agricultural Education. In addition, the BS Agriculture (BSA) curriculum is Asian University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) accredited and the accreditation for the BS Agricultural Biotechnology (BS ABT) and BS Food Science and Technology (BS FST) programs are being processed.

As the parents of the freshmen are also invited, Dean Agbisit assured them that the College will serve as the students’ mothers and fathers– their family while in UPLB. “We will try our best to hone their skills to be the best in the field,” he concluded.

To catch the attention of the young Aggies and to provide them with choices on where they would conduct their research work or thesis when the time comes, the academic units and research centers provided an audio-visual presentation of their respective units.

The College also gave recognition to the Top 10 UPCAT qualifiers in CAFS during the 2021 UP College Application (UPCA). They were as follows:

1. Erwin Paolo V. Marmol (BSA)
2. Agatha Kate F. Miraflor (BS ABT)
3. Yohanna Poul M. Lim (BS FST)
4. Agatha Monique A. Tugade (BS FST)
5. Krisha Carmie Q. Abalos (BS ABT)
6. Aejelico R. Ong (BSA)
7. Jorge Emanuel F. De Leon (BS ABT)
8. Diego Ronaldo P. Del Rosario (BS ABT)
9. Angelo Joshua G. Gayas (BSA)
10. Wendell M. Lee (BS FST)

CAFS deeply values the voice of its students in all its initiatives. Representing the CAFS Student Council was its Chair, Benedict Kyle Barber. He enjoined the students to serve as catalyst in the agriculture sector. Sharing his thoughts on his journey in CAFS, he said that they will soon learn and discover that the best idea comes from the farmers.

New freshmen were also given the chance to share messages to their fellow students. Representing the new freshmen was Angelico R. Ong, a BSA student who talked about relationship, attitude, and action. He said that the three concepts, when combined and coupled with discipline and cooperation would result to change and eventually come up with a productive future for the country. Meanwhile, representing the BS Agricultural Chemistry program, a joint program of CAFS and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), was Julian Mae E. Calara. She shared her thoughts about intention that influences and guides one’s action, and advocated for proper mental and physical health despite the current remote learning setup. She added that one needs to use his mind and action in attaining one’s goal that can contribute for the betterment of the country.

Following the response from the students, Dr. Roselyn F. Paelmo, CAFS College Secretary presented the policies and guidelines, degree programs, and grading system. This was later on followed by another video presentation about the CAFSama Niyo Kami, the CAFS Students Online Welfare Program. This was shared by Dr. Katherine Ann C. Israel, Chair of the CAFS Student Health and Welfare Committee.

An engagement with the Dean and other CAFS officers immediately followed where the freshmen were encouraged to ask anything that picked their interest.

As the orientation ends, Dr. Adeliza A. Dorado, CAFS Associate Dean for Instruction, stated that CAFS aims to provide the freshmen with enough and right knowledge and trainings that is not confined in classrooms (virtual or physical) and laboratories. The College also hopes that they will become true blooded Aggies in mind, heart, and action. Someone who is ready for change, wants to learn new things, and is discerning of what is right or wrong. The heart of an Aggie is compassionate, not only for himself/herself but to others as well. Lastly, she said that an Aggie acts with honor, dignity, and is true to himself/herself. (IMGesmundo)